one fifth

USAGE SUMMARY

"one fifth" is a perfectly grammatical and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a fraction (1/5) of a larger amount. For example, "The total cost of the project was $500,000, with one fifth allocated to the research and development phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Betty Saadeh, one fifth of the team.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One fifth of all Americans.

TechCrunch

That's one fifth of a nickel.

TechCrunch

One fifth always used friction-reducing devices.

Duke University

Less than one tenth disagrees, and one fifth is uncertain.

European Journal of Futures Research

This is about one fifth throughout the EU.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Not more than one-fifth agree on any one definition.

Critical Care

One-fifth of the country is flooded.

The New York Times

About one-fifth of Cubans are nonreligious.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Approximately another one-fifth are Roman Catholics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nearly, one-fifth of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) smoke cigarettes.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "one fifth" in technical writing, ensure clarity by specifying what the fraction refers to. For example, "One fifth of the sample showed positive results" is clearer than "One fifth showed positive results."

Common error

Avoid mixing numeral formats within the same context. If you've established using numerical fractions (e.g., 1/5), don't switch to using percentages (e.g., 20%) without a clear reason. Maintain consistency for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one fifth" functions primarily as a numerical fraction, denoting a quantity that is equivalent to 1/5 or 20% of a whole. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it is used to specify proportions or shares in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one fifth" serves as a numerical fraction that quantifies 20% of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news-related sources. Related phrases like "twenty percent" or "a fifth" can be used as alternatives, depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis. When using "one fifth", ensure consistency in numeral formats and clarity in specifying what the fraction refers to. This helps avoid ambiguity and enhances understanding. With its high frequency, mastering "one fifth" usage will make your content more precise and easier to read.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fifth

A shortened version of "one fifth".

a fraction of 1/5

Explicitly states the fraction.

a fifth part

Adds emphasis on the part-whole relationship.

20 percent

Expresses the same proportion as a percentage.

one in five

Expresses the proportion as a ratio.

a fifth portion

Emphasizes that it is a part of a whole.

point two

Represents the decimal equivalent of one fifth.

one part in five

Highlights the ratio of one part to five total parts.

a fifth share

Implies a division or distribution into five parts.

a proportion of 0.2

More formal and mathematical representation.

FAQs

How do you use "one fifth" in a sentence?

Use "one fifth" to express a fraction of a whole. For example, "One fifth of the students preferred the new curriculum".

What's a more formal way to say "one fifth"?

In formal contexts, you can use "a proportion of 0.2" or "twenty percent" depending on the level of mathematical precision required.

Is it better to use "one fifth" or "20%"?

Both "one fifth" and "20%" are acceptable, but "20%" might be more readily understood by a general audience. Use "one fifth" when emphasizing the fractional aspect.

What can I say instead of "one fifth" to add emphasis?

To emphasize the part-whole relationship, you could say "one in five" or "a fifth part".