roughly a fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly a fraction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an approximate portion or part of a whole, often in a quantitative context. Example: "The new policy is expected to affect roughly a fraction of the employees in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This threshold corresponds to roughly a fraction of >70% of all tumor samples harboring that alteration in each subgroup.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These tax-related measures being pushed by the White House would generate about $130 billion, a fraction of the roughly $2 trillion in savings over a decade that the White House and Republicans agree is necessary to stave off a debt crisis.

The New York Times

Mr. Mitchell, 29, said his cash expenses to make and distribute the segment were about $50, a fraction of the roughly $100,000 that it would cost to broadcast a 30-second spot on a television news program with an audience of a few million, like "Meet the Press".

The New York Times

The trading commission is operating with about 30 employees, a fraction of its roughly 700-person staff.

The New York Times

In a recent International Federation of the Phonographic Industry survey of Russia's digital music scene, recorded revenue in Russia for the full year totaled 2.2 billion roubles (roughly $61 million), that's a fraction of the money that could be spent online.

TechCrunch

There are only 72 cuts in the roughly two-hour film — a fraction of the 5,000 edits typical for a 90-minute film, even more when the format is digital.

Los Angeles Times

He bought the property of roughly one acre for $160,000, a fraction of what it might cost on more fashionable Caribbean islands.

The New York Times

While that only amounts to roughly 505 acres of land — a fraction of the 900 million acres of farmland that's currently cultivated in the U.S. — those indoor farms offer huge yield advantages over traditional farms with a much lower footprint in terms of resources used.

TechCrunch

It would have been nice, for the sake of consistency and fairness, if the commentariat had leveled a measure of that same attitude at last week's Obamapalooza, which cost roughly the same but drew a fraction of the blow-back.

Los Angeles Times

He estimated that about 1,000 companies were hit, which would be only a fraction of the roughly 47 million machines in the country.

The Washington Post

With volume reaching more than 100,000 vehicles this year, hybrids remain a fraction of the roughly 17 million cars, S.U.V.'s, minivans and pickup trucks bought last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "roughly a fraction of", ensure the context clearly establishes the whole to which the fraction refers. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly a fraction of" when a more precise figure is readily available. This phrase suggests an approximation is necessary, so using it with known values can appear imprecise or even misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly a fraction of" functions as a quantifying modifier, specifying an approximate amount or portion of a whole. It indicates that the quantity being described is not exact but is instead an estimation of a small part. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly a fraction of" serves as a quantifying modifier to indicate an approximate portion or amount. Ludwig AI classifies it as correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, it appears across different contexts, especially within News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, make sure to clarify the context and be mindful of the scale you’re referring to. More precise language is preferable in situations where exactness is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately a portion of

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the fraction, similar to the original phrase.

about a small percentage of

Replaces "fraction" with "percentage", highlighting the small quantity.

a rough estimate of a part of

Focuses on the estimation aspect of the fraction.

a fraction of approximately

Inverts the order while maintaining the core meaning.

an approximate segment of

Uses "segment" to convey the idea of a portion.

a crude measure of a piece of

Highlights the imprecision and the partial nature.

a portion roughly equivalent to

Emphasizes equivalence and approximation.

in the neighborhood of a fragment of

Expresses approximation using "in the neighborhood of".

a vague amount of a section of

Uses "vague amount" to indicate lack of precision.

around a sprinkling of

Uses "sprinkling" to imply a very small, imprecise quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "roughly a fraction of" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly a fraction of" to indicate an estimated portion of a whole. For example: "Roughly a fraction of the students participated in the survey."

What's a more formal alternative to "roughly a fraction of"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "approximately a portion of" or "about a small percentage of".

Is it always appropriate to use "roughly a fraction of" in academic writing?

While acceptable, it's best to use specific percentages or ratios when possible. If precision isn't crucial, "roughly a fraction of" is suitable. Otherwise, provide precise figures.

What's the difference between "roughly a fraction of" and "a small portion of"?

"Roughly a fraction of" implies a more quantitative estimate, while "a small portion of" simply indicates a small part without necessarily quantifying it.