take a portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take a portion of' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a part of a physical object or a portion of a whole. For example, "Take a portion of this cake to take home with you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He might take a portion of the interest in the development.

The New York Times

Let the station staff take a portion of the profits on what gets sold.

The Guardian

Normally, teams take a portion of practice time in the preseason to prepare for the opener.

The New York Times - Sports

The father can take a portion of this leave instead of the mother if necessary.

The New York Times

Essentially, obnal is a way for a business to take a portion of cash off the books.

The New Yorker

Can a board choose to take a portion of the shareholder's tax rebate and use it for whatever it deems necessary?... Amie Tatem Araaya, Staten Island.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The billing services make money by taking a portion of the funds they collect.

The New York Times

I never knew a person become insane who was not in the habit of taking a portion of alcohol daily".

The New Yorker

For years, Mr. Surrell, 34, had profited by taking a portion of the earnings of his roster of women prostitutes.

The New York Times

He noted that some partners were even taking a portion of their management fees in the form of carried interest, to increase the tax advantage.

The New Yorker

At the dinner table, Hina took a portion of vegetables and salad but didn't touch the main course, a thick rib-eye steak.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a portion of" when you want to clearly indicate the removal or allocation of a part from a larger whole, ensuring the context implies the remaining whole still exists.

Common error

Avoid using "take a portion of" with entities that are conceptually indivisible. For example, instead of saying "take a portion of the idea", consider "adopt part of the idea" or "incorporate aspects of the idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a portion of" functions as a verb phrase typically used to describe the act of extracting, receiving, or allocating a part of a larger whole. It indicates the action of dividing something and acquiring a segment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a portion of" is a versatile and commonly used expression for describing the act of extracting, receiving, or allocating a part of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While it is generally neutral in tone, it's essential to ensure its usage aligns with the divisibility of the entity it describes. Consider alternatives like "extract a piece of" or "allocate a part of" for nuanced expression. With its strong presence in authoritative sources and everyday language, "take a portion of" remains a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allocate a part of

Emphasizes the assignment of a specific portion.

obtain a share of

Emphasizes receiving a designated part or allocation.

draw a portion from

Focuses on the action of taking from an existing source.

acquire a segment of

Focuses on the act of gaining a specific part.

secure a percentage of

Indicates obtaining a specific proportion.

set aside a segment of

Highlights the reservation of a particular part for a specific purpose.

extract a piece of

Highlights the removal or separation of a part.

carve out a section of

Suggests creating a distinct portion by separating it from a larger whole.

appropriate a fraction of

Implies taking a calculated portion, often with a sense of justification.

commandeer a portion of

Suggests taking control of a section, often temporarily or by force.

FAQs

How can I use "take a portion of" in a sentence?

You can use "take a portion of" to describe removing or allocating a part of something, such as "The company will "take a portion of" the profits to invest in research".

What are some alternatives to "take a portion of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extract a piece of", "obtain a share of", or "allocate a part of". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "take a portion from" instead of "take a portion of"?

While both are grammatically sound, "take a portion of" is more common and idiomatic. "Take a portion from" emphasizes the source the portion is being taken from.

What's the difference between "take a portion of" and "take a share of"?

"Take a portion of" is more general, referring to any part of something. "Take a share of" often implies a predetermined or equitable distribution.