percentage is small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "percentage is small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statistical data or proportions that are relatively low in comparison to a whole or other values. Example: "In this study, the percentage is small, indicating that only a few participants experienced the side effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That percentage is small, however, and far more evenly distributed across socioeconomic status, age, race, gender and the rest than people think; the need is not driven by poverty itself.

Huffington Post

Many Muslim women choose to wear the niqab not out of cultural obligation (although certainly, there are some who do so -- but they tend to be limited to a very certain region and even that percentage is small in comparison to the worldwide Muslim population), but out of spiritual conviction.

Huffington Post

Although some infections occur at ages above 50, the percentage is small, less than 10%, and most behavioral indicators refer to the 15 49 age group.

Plosone

The likelihood that GPs will conduct home visit rises with increasing patient lists when the capitation percentage is small.

BMC Health Services Research

Among 486 hospitalized women 15 44 years of age, only 42 (8.6%) were pregnant; this percentage is small compared with results of studies conducted in other countries (5 – 7 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Dr. Frieden said black, Hispanic and foreign-born men were less likely to be circumcised than white Americans, and the percentage is smaller among men with lower incomes.

The New York Times

This percentage is smaller than the determination error of the absolute sensitivity, described above (0.06% for the ± 8000 nT range and 0.1% for the ± 60,000 nT range).

Earth, Planets and Space

This percentage is smaller than that reported in our study (8.3%); however, we believe that our method of checking perforations is more accurate.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Does the PDC sincerely believe that in a nation of this size, where the voting percentage is smaller than you'd ever expect, that the stuff we hear during debates is intelligent and sufficient?

Huffington Post

I asked, "What percent of all of the people watching that television ad are going to be interested in rapid recovery from exercise?" Of course, the percentage was small, but it was still a good number.

Huffington Post

Only the US region and ICU bed percentage were statistically significant in linear regression analysis; however, the effect size associated with ICU bed percentage was small (-0.03 for each percentage increase; 95% confidence interval, -0.05 to -0.002; P = 0.03).

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "percentage is small", ensure you provide context to what the percentage refers to. This makes the statement more meaningful and easier to understand. For example, instead of saying "The percentage is small", say "The percentage of students who passed the exam is small".

Common error

Avoid using "percentage is small" without providing specific data or reference points. Without context, the statement becomes vague and lacks informative value. Always quantify or compare the percentage to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "percentage is small" functions as a descriptive statement indicating that a particular proportion is relatively low. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. The phrase is used to convey that the amount or proportion being discussed is not significant in relation to the whole.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "percentage is small" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a low proportion or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general applicability. While "Uncommon" in overall frequency, this phrase appears across various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Science. Alternative phrasings include "the proportion is low" or "the percentage is minimal", each offering slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure clear context is provided to avoid ambiguity. As pointed out in the writing guidance, it's better to indicate what exactly is being referred to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the percentage is minimal

Replaces 'small' with 'minimal', indicating a very low percentage.

the percentage is negligible

Replaces 'small' with 'negligible', implying the percentage is so small it can be disregarded.

the percentage is insignificant

Uses 'insignificant' instead of 'small', suggesting the percentage has little importance.

the proportion is low

Substitutes 'percentage' with 'proportion' and 'small' with 'low', maintaining the same meaning.

the fraction is small

Uses 'fraction' instead of 'percentage', indicating a small part of a whole.

only a fraction

Implies a small percentage by specifying that 'only a fraction' exists.

the quantity is limited

Changes the structure to focus on the quantity, which is described as limited.

a minority portion

Expresses the idea that a 'minority portion' exists, indicating a small percentage.

the occurrence is rare

Shifts the focus to the rarity of the occurrence, implying a small percentage.

the incidence is low

Employs 'incidence' to refer to the rate of occurrence, described as low.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "percentage is small" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the proportion is low", "the percentage is minimal", or "the incidence is negligible". These alternatives ("proportion is low", "percentage is minimal", "incidence is negligible") add a level of sophistication suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What are some common situations where I might use the phrase "percentage is small"?

The phrase "percentage is small" is often used when discussing statistical data, research findings, or survey results where a particular segment or outcome represents a minor portion of the whole. It's applicable in fields like science, economics, and social sciences.

Is it better to use "percentage is low" or "percentage is small"?

Both "percentage is low" and "percentage is small" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. The choice often depends on the desired tone and context. "Low" might suggest a continuous scale, while "small" might emphasize a size or amount. Use alternatives such as "proportion is low", when the context refers to the fraction of a whole.

What's a common mistake to avoid when using the phrase "percentage is small"?

A common mistake is failing to provide a clear reference for what the percentage relates to. Always specify what the percentage represents to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "The percentage is small", clarify with "The percentage of respondents who agreed with the statement is small".