only a fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only a fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a small part or portion of something is being referred to, often in comparison to a larger whole. Example: "Only a fraction of the population participated in the survey, which may affect the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He used only a fraction of them.

The New Yorker

Today, he said, only a fraction remain.

The New York Times

The Olympus is only a fraction porkier.

The New York Times - Tech

Only a fraction were Italian.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's still only a fraction.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I admired only a fraction of his.

The New Yorker

But only a fraction is on view.

The New York Times

But only a fraction have been completed.

The Guardian - Money

Only a fraction of companies are participating.

The New York Times

Only a fraction of the species survive the journey.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, this behavior removes only a fraction of inequality.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only a fraction" to accurately represent a small portion when comparing it to a larger whole. This phrase effectively conveys scale and proportion.

Common error

Avoid using "only a fraction" when the portion, though small, is still significant or impactful in the context. Choose a different phrase that better reflects its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only a fraction" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity or proportion of something. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, which show the phrase used to qualify nouns in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only a fraction" is a common phrase used to indicate a small portion of something, frequently seen in news, academic, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and serves to downplay the quantity or significance of what is being described. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when you want to accurately represent something small in comparison to a larger whole. Avoid using it when that small portion is still significant or impactful. Alternatives such as "a small portion" or "a tiny percentage" can be considered depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small portion

Focuses on the limited size of the amount.

a tiny percentage

Emphasizes the diminutive proportion using percentage.

a limited amount

Highlights the restriction in quantity.

a mere fragment

Stresses the insignificance of the part.

just a part

Simple and direct way to indicate a portion.

a scant quantity

Highlights the deficiency or inadequacy of the amount.

a negligible segment

Indicates the portion is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a sprinkling of

Implies a very light and sparse distribution.

a handful of

Suggests a small number that can be held in one hand.

a minority of

Highlights that the amount is less than half.

FAQs

How can I use "only a fraction" in a sentence?

You can use "only a fraction" to indicate that a small part of something is being referred to in comparison to a larger whole. For example, "Only a fraction of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "only a fraction"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a small portion", "a tiny percentage", or "a limited amount", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "only a fraction are" instead of "only a fraction is"?

The verb agreement depends on what the fraction refers to. If it refers to a plural noun, use "are". If it refers to a singular noun, use "is". For example, "Only a fraction of the students are present" (plural) versus "Only a fraction of the budget is allocated" (singular).

What's the difference between "only a fraction" and "a majority of"?

"Only a fraction" indicates a small portion, while "a majority of" indicates more than half. They are opposite in meaning and used to describe different quantities.