ration

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe the action of portioning out something or as a noun to refer to a specific portion or amount. Example sentence: The refugees were only given a small ration of food each day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is nothing "genteel" about it when you have to ration lavatory paper and can only afford one meal a day.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Ruth Kelly's farewell speech at conference, for example, she said that she supported a third runway at Heathrow because "we must be brave in challenging those who would ration flying and make it once more the preserve of the rich".

The Guardian - Opinion

Prices are lower than in the mainstream markets but higher than the ration shops.

The Guardian

I am not making this up The key difference between those two periods was that after the second world war there was a chronic shortage of supply of goods in the economy, so taxation and ration books were necessary to keep a lid on demand, whereas following the financial crisis there was plenty of idle supply capacity but a serious shortage of demand.

The Guardian - Business

Exchanges avoid the distortions of price controls and put the onus on individuals, rather than government, to decide how to ration their health care.Start on a limited scale, by replacing civil-service health insurance with vouchers.

The Economist

This makes it harder for suppliers or ration shops to steal, which is how an estimated 40% of the supplies used to disappear.

The Economist

The cast changes annually but the play remains the same, even retaining 1950s references to ration books and rent at seven guineas a week.

The Economist

"This is not a test".Perhaps these pleas will have an effect; perhaps local leaders will have to ration water strictly if they do not.

The Economist

He has ensured that convicted criminals no longer get lucrative licences for liquor stores and ration shops, which sell subsidised food and fuel.

The Economist

The libreta, the ration card that has guaranteed a (dwindling) monthly food supply to every Cuban for half a century, has become "an unbearable burden for the economy and a disincentive to work," Raúl said.

The Economist

But if each peasant has to scan her irises every time she picks up her ration, it will be harder to scam the system.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about resource management or limitations, using "ration" can add a sense of urgency or constraint. Choose this word when you want to convey a controlled distribution due to scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "ration" when describing general allocation or distribution without an element of scarcity or restriction. Using "allocate", "distribute", or "manage" may be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "ration" functions both as a noun, referring to a specific portion or amount, and as a verb, describing the act of controlling the distribution of something. Ludwig AI confirms this versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ration" is a versatile term used both as a noun and a verb, primarily to denote the controlled distribution of resources, especially during scarcity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communication. To avoid misuse, remember that "ration" implies a situation of limitation and should not be used for general distribution scenarios. To improve your writing remember the advice from Ludwig: the refugees were only given a small ration of food each day.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limit access to

Highlights restriction of availability.

restrict supply of

Highlights the limitation of the amount available.

distribute in limited quantities

Highlights the action of distribution with the restriction of quantity.

portion out sparingly

Emphasizes the act of dividing and distributing in small amounts.

allocate sparingly

Focuses on careful allocation, emphasizing a limited supply.

mete out in small doses

Emphasizes careful and measured distribution.

conserve resources

Emphasizes preservation and careful use of available resources.

control consumption of

Focuses on limiting the amount used or consumed.

regulate the use of

Focuses on managing and controlling how something is used.

administer judiciously

Highlights the careful and wise management of resources.

FAQs

How can I use "ration" in a sentence?

You can use "ration" as a verb, meaning to control the supply of something, or as a noun, meaning a fixed amount. For example, "During the drought, we had to ration water" or "Each soldier received a daily ration of food".

What words can I use instead of "ration"?

Depending on the context, you can use "allocate", "conserve", "limit", or "control" as alternatives to "ration".

When is it appropriate to use "ration" versus "allocate"?

"Ration" implies a limited supply and controlled distribution, often during scarcity, while "allocate" refers to distributing resources according to a plan or need, without necessarily implying scarcity.

Is there a difference between a "ration" and an "allowance"?

A "ration" typically refers to a limited portion of essential goods or resources, especially during times of shortage, while an "allowance" is a regular provision of money or resources, not necessarily dictated by scarcity.