fraction
B1Neutral (common in academic, everyday, and technical contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A numerical quantity that is not a whole number, expressed as one number divided by another (e.g., 1/2).
A small part, piece, or amount of something; a tiny portion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core mathematical meaning ('1/4') is precise and literal. The extended sense ('a fraction of a second') is often hyperbolic, emphasizing smallness or insignificance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. In mathematics, 'vulgar fraction' (BrE) vs. 'common fraction' (AmE) for simple fractions like 3/4.
Connotations
Similar connotations of smallness in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[a] fraction of [something] (e.g., a fraction of the population)in a fraction of a [time unit] (e.g., in a fraction of a second)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not by a fraction (meaning: not at all)”
- “to a fraction (meaning: exactly, precisely)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a small share of a market, cost, or profit. ('We captured only a fraction of the target market.')
Academic
Central to mathematical discourse; also used in sciences to describe proportions. ('A significant fraction of the sample exhibited the trait.')
Everyday
Used to describe a very small amount or time. ('I'll be there in a fraction of a second.')
Technical
Specific types in mathematics (vulgar, decimal, continued) and chemistry (distillation fractions).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company plans to fraction the shares to make them more affordable.
American English
- The refinery will fraction the crude oil into its components.
adjective
British English
- We need to look at the fractional ownership details.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cut the apple into fractions so everyone can have a piece.
- A half is a simple fraction.
- Only a fraction of the audience voted for the proposal.
- She answered the question in a fraction of a second.
- The new policy affected but a fraction of the workforce.
- Can you simplify the fraction 16/64 to its lowest terms?
- A vanishingly small fraction of the data was corrupted during the transfer.
- The chemist separated the compound into its constituent fractions via chromatography.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'fracture' - a fraction is like a whole number that has been fractured/broken into pieces.
Conceptual Metaphor
WHOLE OBJECTS ARE CONTAINERS (e.g., 'a fraction of the box'), NUMBERS ARE OBJECTS (e.g., 'break a number into fractions').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'фракция' (political group) for the mathematical/small part meaning. Use 'доля' or 'часть'.
- In maths, 'дробь' is the direct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fraction' to mean 'a lot' (it means a small part).
- Incorrect plural agreement: 'A large fraction of students *is' → should be 'are' (the noun 'students' is plural).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'fraction' used in its most literal, mathematical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used hyperbolically to mean 'a very small part', mathematically it can refer to any part, including large ones (e.g., '9/10' is a fraction).
Yes, but it's technical. It means to separate something into its constituent parts, especially in chemistry (fractionate) or finance (split shares).
A fraction is a ratio of two numbers (1/4). A percentage is a fraction expressed as a part of 100 (25%). All percentages are fractions, but not all fractions are percentages.
Use a plural verb. The verb agrees with the plural noun following 'of', not with 'fraction'. Example: 'A fraction of the proceeds *are* donated.'