substantial fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial fraction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant portion or percentage of a whole, often in quantitative contexts. Example: "A substantial fraction of the participants reported an increase in satisfaction after the program."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its membership now includes a substantial fraction of ethnic minorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If chemicals are inhibiting normal caution in any substantial fraction of investors, we need to know about it".

The New York Times

But a substantial fraction of its assets — say, $400 billion worth — are mortgage-backed securities and other toxic waste.

The New York Times

This difference, the electron correlation energy, can be a substantial fraction of the total energy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By this he meant that a substantial fraction of the variation among individuals within a culture can be linked to variation in their genes.

The New York Times - Magazine

A substantial fraction of the human proteome encodes disordered proteins.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

Thus, a substantial fraction of actual contagion may have gone unnoticed.

EPJ Data Science

A substantial fraction of manures, cellulosic in nature, are unextractable by alkaline solutions.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Errors associated with medication documentation account for a substantial fraction of preventable medical errors.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

Unexpectedly, a substantial fraction of strain-specific factor binding could not be explained by local mutations.

Cell

A substantial fraction of pendent maleimide bonds remains in the system at the end of polymerization.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial fraction of", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the total being referenced. For example, "A substantial fraction of the budget was allocated to research."

Common error

Avoid using "substantial fraction of" when the actual percentage is very small. "Substantial" implies a noteworthy amount, so ensure the fraction truly reflects a significant portion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial fraction of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a significant, but not necessarily overwhelming, portion of something is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial fraction of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant portion of a whole. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the total being referenced and avoid its use when the actual percentage is minimal. Consider alternatives such as "significant portion of" or "considerable part of" for nuanced expression. Its frequency and acceptance in formal writing underscore its utility in conveying quantitative information with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant proportion of

Replaces "fraction" with "proportion", emphasizing a comparative relationship within a whole.

considerable portion of

Substitutes "substantial" with "considerable", highlighting the size or importance of the portion.

large segment of

Uses "segment" instead of "fraction", focusing on a distinct part of a whole.

significant amount of

Replaces "fraction" with "amount", suitable for uncountable nouns and emphasizing quantity.

appreciable quantity of

Employs "appreciable quantity", suggesting the amount is noticeable or measurable.

notable share of

Uses "share" to indicate a part or allotment, emphasizing distribution or allocation.

major part of

Replaces "fraction" with "part", stressing that the portion is a key component.

sizeable percentage of

Specifies "percentage", making it explicitly about numerical proportion and using "sizeable" to emphasize the magnitude.

considerable number of

Employs "number" instead of "fraction", better suited for countable nouns and indicating quantity.

good deal of

An idiomatic expression indicating a large quantity or amount, often used in less formal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "substantial fraction of" to indicate that a significant portion of a whole is being discussed. For example, "A "substantial fraction of" the students passed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "substantial fraction of"?

You can use alternatives like "significant portion of", "considerable part of", or "significant proportion of" depending on the context.

Is "substantial portion of" the same as "substantial fraction of"?

Yes, "substantial portion of" is very similar in meaning to "substantial fraction of". Both phrases indicate a significant part of a whole. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.

When is it appropriate to use "substantial fraction of" rather than "majority of"?

"Substantial fraction of" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a notable, but not necessarily dominant, portion is being discussed. "Majority of" implies more than 50%, while "substantial fraction of" can refer to a smaller, yet still significant, percentage.