top fifth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top fifth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the highest 20% of a group or category, often in contexts like statistics, education, or performance rankings. Example: "Students in the top fifth of their class are often recognized for their academic achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only 6% made it to the top fifth.

The Economist

That top fifth would surely include people whose income is half that mean.

The Economist

Only 6 percent of them will rise to the top fifth.

The New York Times

Taxpayers in the top fifth of the income distribution get almost $25,000 each, on average.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, just 8 percent of American men at the bottom rose to the top fifth.

The New York Times

Industries in the top fifth generated 135,000 jobs, not zero.

The New York Times

But among the top fifth of earners, long weeks have increased by 80percentt.

The New York Times

Its results place the school in the top fifth of secondaries across the country.

The Guardian

Nationwide, families in the top fifth made 7.3 times more than those in the bottom fifth.

The New York Times

The top fifth have been prospering while the majority lags behind.

The New York Times

The city's top fifth of all households pulled in $259,000 on average.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "top fifth", ensure the context clearly defines the group or category being measured to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "top fifth of earners" or "top fifth of schools".

Common error

Avoid assuming "top fifth" always refers to income. It can apply to various metrics like academic performance, health indicators, or market share. Always clarify the measurement being used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top fifth" functions as an ordinal adjective, modifying a noun to specify the highest 20% of a group. Ludwig examples show it used across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "top fifth" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the highest 20% of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility extends across various contexts, from income distribution to academic rankings. While alternatives like "highest quintile" and "upper 20 percent" exist, "top fifth" offers a concise and widely understood means of quantifying superior standing. Remember to specify the context to avoid ambiguity and to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highest quintile

Uses a more formal term, "quintile", to refer to the top 20%.

upper 20 percent

Replaces the ordinal term with a percentage, making it more explicit.

top 20%

A simplified numerical representation of the "top fifth".

leading fifth

Uses "leading" to emphasize the superior position.

elite 20 percent

Emphasizes exclusivity using the term "elite".

best performing 20 percent

Focuses on performance as the criterion for being in the top group.

top tier

A more general term for the highest level or rank.

cream of the crop

An idiomatic expression for the best individuals in a group.

upper echelon

Refers to the highest level of an organization or society.

foremost fifth

Emphasizes being at the front or most advanced position.

FAQs

How can I use "top fifth" in a sentence?

You can use "top fifth" to describe the highest 20% of a group, such as "The school aims to place its students in the "top fifth" of their class" or "The "top fifth" of earners contribute a significant portion of taxes".

What's an alternative to saying "top fifth"?

Alternatives include "highest quintile", "upper 20 percent", or simply "top 20%". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it more accurate to say "top fifth" or "top 20 percent"?

Both "top fifth" and "top 20 percent" are equally accurate, as they represent the same proportion. "Top fifth" is more concise, while "top 20 percent" is more explicit.

What does it mean if someone is in the "top fifth"?

Being in the "top fifth" means that an individual or entity ranks in the highest 20% of a defined group, whether it be based on income, performance, or another specific metric.