two out of ten

USAGE SUMMARY

"two out of ten" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a ratio or portion of something, and can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "I answered two out of ten questions correctly on the quiz."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My only real complaint is that I'm fairly sure the guy who said "not memorable, sorry" and rated me a TWO OUT OF TEN is someone who couldn't cum unless my feet were touching his penis in some way.

Vice

Two out of ten.

The Guardian

In 1970 the figure was two out of ten.

The Economist

Two out of ten, though, for actually achieving its goals.

The Economist

Even now, fewer than two out of ten members of Congress are female.

The Economist

(In the United States, by comparison, just two out of ten voiced approval).

The New Yorker

The WHO report scored its efforts in those areas just a three and a two out of ten.

The Economist

Musicals have odds like venture capital: only one in ten makes money, and two out of ten lose it all.

The Economist

Their immune responses to both viruses and bacteria were weakened by such an extent that two out of ten animals died.

The Guardian

Most of them are men: women make up only two out of ten victims (and less than one in ten perpetrators).

The Economist

One corporate publicist says that calls from Finke are usually agreeable, but adds that "two out of ten conversations are bad Nikki".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "two out of ten", ensure the context clearly defines the total group being referenced. For example, "Two out of ten students preferred the online format."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by always clarifying what the "ten" refers to. For instance, instead of saying "Two out of ten were late", specify "Two out of ten employees were late."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two out of ten" functions primarily as a quantifier, specifying a proportion or ratio. It indicates that for every ten items in a set, two of them possess a particular characteristic. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two out of ten" is a grammatically sound and commonly used quantifier that effectively expresses a proportion or ratio. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely applicable across various writing styles. Its neutral register allows for versatile usage, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always ensure the base number is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternative expressions like "20 percent" or "one fifth" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

20 percent

Expresses the same proportion as a percentage.

one fifth

Expresses the same proportion as a fraction.

a fifth of

Uses a slightly different structure to express the same fractional proportion.

2 in 10

A shortened version of the original phrase, still indicating the same ratio.

two tenths

Expresses the proportion as a decimal fraction.

a small minority

Indicates a proportion less than half, but without specifying the exact amount.

few out of ten

Similar structure using a less precise quantifier.

a couple out of ten

Indicates approximately two, without being exact.

limited portion

Emphasizes the smallness of the portion.

only a fraction

Highlights that the proportion is less than a whole.

FAQs

How can I use "two out of ten" in a sentence?

You can use "two out of ten" to express a proportion or ratio. For example, "Two out of ten participants reported feeling satisfied with the results".

What's another way to say "two out of ten"?

Alternatives to "two out of ten" include "20 percent", "one fifth", or "a fifth of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "two out of ten" or "20 percent"?

Both "two out of ten" and "20 percent" are correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the audience. "20 percent" might be preferred in more formal or technical contexts.

Can I use "two out of ten" to describe a probability?

Yes, "two out of ten" can be used to express a probability. For example, "There's a two out of ten chance of rain tomorrow".