just a proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just a proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific part or fraction of a whole, often in contexts involving statistics, mathematics, or comparisons. Example: "The survey results showed that just a proportion of the participants favored the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Where programs seek to detect just a proportion of cancers with high efficiency and low colonoscopy rates [ 29], a blood DNA test might be acceptable as a frontline screening test if a participatory advantage can be demonstrated in practice.

BMC Cancer

This in turn will lead to an understanding of whether the entire regulon serves as a marker of latent disease or whether it is just a proportion of the regulon that is specific to this disease state.

BMC Genomics

It seems odd, but this is just a proportion so that any consistent measure such as a meter, foot, rod or nautical knot, etc. would be a fraction or some multiple of each other, easy enough to understand.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But overarching laws, policies, practices, and customs should be fair and just for all, not just for a proportion of a population.

Huffington Post

Then, in the second quarter of 2008, it started to fall not just as a proportion of income, or after allowing for inflation, but in everyday dollars and cents.

The Economist

The players have just agreed a proportion of their bonus scheme will go to the foundation.

The Guardian - Sport

Uber drivers, though, pay nothing, using their own cars and just paying a proportion of their takings to the company for the rides they pick up.

The Guardian - Tech

The simpler, "great circle" (Ball et al., 1997) or "small world" (Watts and Strogatz, 1998) approach, just adds a proportion of global contacts.

Epidemics

Over all, foreigners are just a small proportion of the real estate buyers in Helsinki.

The New York Times

So if just a small proportion of Mr. Gephardt's potential labor support materializes, it could have a sizeable impact.

The New York Times

Just a small proportion get help from their home governments or from scholarship funds established by their compatriots.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just a proportion", ensure the context clearly indicates what the "whole" is that the proportion refers to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "just a proportion" when the proportion is actually significant or impactful. Using it inappropriately can undermine the importance of the element being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just a proportion" functions as a quantifier, specifying a limited or small part of a whole. It modifies a noun phrase, indicating that only a fraction or segment is being considered. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just a proportion" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a small or limited part of a whole. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile enough for use across diverse contexts like science, news, and general writing, users should be mindful of its neutral register. When aiming for variety in expression, alternatives like "only a fraction" or "merely a part" can add nuance. However, ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning and avoid using it inappropriately to overstate the significance of the proportion being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a fraction

Emphasizes the smallness of the quantity.

merely a part

Highlights that it's not the entire thing.

a small segment

Implies a division into sections, with focus on one section.

a limited amount

Focuses on the restricted quantity available.

a certain percentage

More specific, suggesting a quantifiable portion.

just some

Informal and less precise.

a minority

Suggests less than half of the whole.

a small piece

Emphasizes the idea of a portion being physically separated.

a modicum

Indicates a very small or moderate amount.

a sprinkling

Implies a light and sparse distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "just a proportion" in a sentence?

You can use "just a proportion" to indicate a small or limited part of a whole. For example, "Just a proportion of the students passed the exam" suggests that the passing rate was low.

What are some alternatives to "just a proportion"?

Alternatives include "only a fraction", "merely a part", or "a small segment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "just a proportion" or "only a proportion"?

Both "just a proportion" and "only a proportion" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context. "Only a proportion" may sound slightly more formal.

What does "just a proportion" imply about the amount being described?

"Just a proportion" implies that the amount being referred to is relatively small compared to the total. It suggests that the amount is not substantial or significant in the overall context.