small portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small portion" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a limited amount or a fraction of something, often in contexts like food, data, or resources. For example, "She served a small portion of the dessert." Alternative expressions include "tiny amount" and "little bit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(A small portion did).

The New York Times - Arts

A very small portion.

The Guardian - Books

A small portion of mushroom risotto.

The New York Times

How small is a "small" portion?

The New York Times

We had the small portion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sometimes, big dishes can be ordered in a small portion.

The New York Times - Food

Above is but a small portion of the crowd.

The New York Times

Some small portion of everyone's wishes came true.

The Guardian - Sport

"Unfortunately, a small portion get a bad reputation".

The New York Times

A small portion is within the Town of Southold.

The New York Times

Only a small portion of the building was accessible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or scientific writing, ensure you specify what the portion is a part of to maintain technical clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "small portion" when you are specifically referring to a ratio or a percentage relationship between two things. In those cases, you should use "small proportion" instead. While a portion is a piece of something, a proportion is the relative scale or size of that piece compared to others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small portion" acts as a noun phrase consisting of the adjective "small" and the noun "portion". Its primary function is to quantify a specific part or segment of a larger entity. In many cases provided by Ludwig, it functions as the subject or the direct object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small portion" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a limited part of a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance across various domains, ranging from high-tier journalism in The New York Times to rigorous academic research in ScienceDirect. Its primary strength lies in its clarity and neutral tone, which allows it to be used effectively in both casual and professional writing. While often interchangeable with "small part", it carries a slightly more precise connotation of division, making it the preferred choice when discussing servings, data segments or financial shares. Writers should simply be mindful of the distinction between portion and proportion to maintain precise semantic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small part

A more general and versatile term for any segment of an object or concept

modest portion

Used as a more polite or understated way to describe a small amount

tiny fraction

Emphasizes a mathematical or percentage-based relationship to a larger whole

small amount

Focuses on the quantity or volume rather than a specific division of a whole

small serving

Specifically refers to food or dietary intake

limited quantity

Provides a more formal tone often used in commercial or inventory contexts

minor share

Commonly used in business or social contexts to denote ownership or participation

minimal slice

Uses a metaphor to emphasize how small the division is

little bit

A much more informal and colloquial alternative

brief segment

Focuses on the temporal or structural aspect of a part

FAQs

How to use "small portion" in a sentence?

You can use "small portion" to describe a part of something larger, such as: "Only a "small portion" of the budget was allocated to marketing" or "She served a "small portion" of the pasta."

What can I say instead of "small portion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tiny fraction", "small amount", or "modest serving".

Which is correct, "small portion" or "small proportion"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. Use "small portion" for a physical part of a whole and "small proportion" when referring to a percentage or a comparative ratio.

What's the difference between "small portion" and "tiny amount"?

While often interchangeable, "small portion" implies that the amount is a piece of a larger identifiable whole, whereas "tiny amount" simply describes a very small quantity without necessarily referring to its origin.