just over a sixth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just over a sixth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is slightly more than one-sixth of a whole. Example: "The survey showed that just over a sixth of the participants preferred option A."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nearly two-thirds of Anglican churches, 10,199, are in rural areas, but the population of rural England is just 9.3 million, or just over a sixth of the population.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The top five U.S. banks held just over an eighth of domestic commercial banking assets in 1980; they hold just under a quarter now.

Forbes

Last year 42% of young working Europeans were in temporary employment, up from just over a third a decade ago.

The Guardian

Bulgaria is just over a third as big.

The Economist

Alas, just over a third of employers agreed.

The Economist

Just over a third (37%) took the opposite view.

The Guardian

Mr Bemba came second with just over a fifth of the total vote.

The Economist

In the biggest, Poland, only just over a fifth of the electorate turned out to vote.

The Economist

Just over a third of the respondents couldn't think of anything worthy of praise.

Independent

Maruti exports just over a tenth of its production, mainly to Europe.

The Economist

Just over a third of them are under the age of 25.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just over a sixth", ensure the context clearly establishes what the "whole" is that you're taking a sixth of. Clarity is key when dealing with proportions.

Common error

Avoid using "just over a sixth" when a more precise fraction or percentage is known and readily available. Overly vague language can diminish credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just over a sixth" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate an approximate quantity slightly exceeding one-sixth of a whole. Ludwig confirms this use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just over a sixth" is a grammatically correct quantifier used to approximate a proportion slightly exceeding one-sixth of a whole. According to Ludwig, it's acceptable in English writing, primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the 'whole' is clear and consider whether a more precise measurement would be more appropriate. While generally neutral in tone, formal contexts might benefit from more specific language. Remember to ensure clarity when referring to fractions and approximations. Ludwig confirms that "just over a sixth" is a usable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more than one sixth

Replaces "just over" with "slightly more than" maintaining the same numerical proportion.

a little more than a sixth

Substitutes "just over" with "a little more than", providing a more informal tone.

a bit more than a sixth

Offers a more casual and less precise alternative.

somewhat above a sixth

Replaces "just over" with "somewhat above", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

just past one-sixth

Emphasizes that the quantity has slightly surpassed one-sixth.

approximately one-sixth

Uses "approximately" to indicate an estimation close to one-sixth, without specifying it's slightly over.

slightly exceeding one-sixth

Focuses on the act of exceeding one-sixth by a small amount.

marginally greater than a sixth

Emphasizes the small difference above one-sixth.

in excess of one-sixth

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that the amount is more than one-sixth.

one-sixth plus a fraction

Breaks down the quantity into its component parts, highlighting the additional fraction.

FAQs

How can I use "just over a sixth" in a sentence?

You can use "just over a sixth" to describe a quantity slightly larger than one-sixth of a whole. For example, "Just over a sixth of the students passed the exam on their first try."

What's a less formal way to say "just over a sixth"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a little more than a sixth" or "a bit more than a sixth", which maintain a similar meaning but with a more casual tone.

Is it appropriate to use "just over a sixth" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "just over a sixth" is more suitable for general or news writing. In formal academic or scientific writing, consider using a more precise fraction or percentage if available, or a more formal alternative like "slightly exceeding one-sixth".

Which is more precise, "just over a sixth" or "approximately 17%"?

"Approximately 17%" is generally more precise than "just over a sixth". One-sixth is roughly 16.67%, so "just over a sixth" implies a value slightly higher than that, but without specifying exactly how much higher. 17% gives a more concrete figure. You could also use "slightly more than 16 percent".