tenth or so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenth or so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate quantity or number, suggesting that the actual number is around ten but not exact. Example: "There were a tenth or so of the participants who completed the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Over 130,000 PCs are replaced every day in America alone, and only a tenth or so are recycled.

The Economist

The demand picture is better, too: thanks to conservation, demand is a tenth or so below last year's level.

The Economist

As whirring glass tubes dip into latex baths, Goh Miah Kiat, Karex's CEO, expresses optimism about China, currently just a tenth or so of its sales.

The Economist

A tenth or so of the BBC's 27,632-strong workforce will go in the new year, mostly from the back office.

The Economist

(It leaves open, however, the interesting possibility that Dr Castro plans to run a kind of Athenian democracy or ochlocracy with the tenth or so of Cuba's population that can regularly be gathered in one of Havana's plazas).

The Economist

A promise in Britain to, say, keep rates low until GDP is a tenth or so higher would be a pledge to stick with low rates even if that meant higher prices.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The billionth-or-so dawn,and still how primitive/The little.

The New Yorker

Every few seconds or so".

The Guardian - Tech

It lasted only 10 seconds or so.

The Guardian

Hard-working Bangladeshi Muslims constitute another third or so.

The Economist

After 30 seconds or so, the old sod shuffled off.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenth or so", ensure the context clearly indicates what the tenth refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the total quantity or population from which the tenth is derived.

Common error

Avoid using "tenth or so" when a more precise number is available or necessary. This phrase is best suited for situations where an exact figure is not known or not crucial to the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenth or so" primarily functions as a modifier indicating an approximate quantity or proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English, functioning to soften a numerical statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenth or so" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate an approximate quantity close to one-tenth. As Ludwig AI indicates, it functions as a modifier. While it can be used in various contexts, it is most commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic sources. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "approximately one tenth" or "about a tenth". The key is to ensure the context clearly defines what the "tenth" refers to, avoiding any ambiguity. This idiomatic expression offers a convenient way to convey approximation without requiring precise numerical data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about a tenth

Uses "about" instead of "or so" to indicate approximation.

roughly a tenth

Employs "roughly" to convey a similar sense of approximation.

around a tenth

Substitutes "or so" with "around" for a slightly different phrasing.

approximately one tenth

Replaces the idiomatic "or so" with a more formal "approximately".

something like a tenth

Uses "something like" to soften the approximation.

a tenth, give or take

Adds "give or take" to emphasize the approximate nature.

in the vicinity of a tenth

A more formal and precise way of expressing an approximate quantity.

a fraction near one tenth

Expresses the quantity as a fraction close to one tenth.

a small fraction, about 10%

Specifies the fraction as small and provides a percentage equivalent.

in the neighborhood of 10 percent

Replaces "a tenth" with its percentage equivalent and uses a different approximation phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "tenth or so" in a sentence?

You can use "tenth or so" to indicate an approximate quantity or proportion, such as, "A "tenth or so" of the students failed the exam."

What phrases are similar to "tenth or so"?

Similar phrases include "about a tenth", "approximately one tenth", or "roughly a tenth" to indicate an approximate quantity or proportion.

Is it appropriate to use "tenth or so" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "tenth or so" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language such as "approximately 10 percent" or "about one-tenth".

What's the difference between "tenth or so" and "exactly one tenth"?

"Tenth or so" indicates an approximation, meaning the actual quantity is close to but not necessarily exactly one tenth. "Exactly one tenth" specifies a precise quantity with no room for variation.