What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fractions
Example
Half is a fraction of the whole. [fraction: noun]
Example
She divided the pizza into eight equal fractions. [fractions: plural noun]
portion
Example
He received a portion of the inheritance. [portion: noun]
Example
I only ate a small portion of the cake. [portion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Portion is more commonly used than fractions in everyday language. Portion is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fractions are more specific and often used in mathematical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fractions and portion?
Both fractions and portion can be used in formal and informal contexts, but fractions may be considered more formal due to its association with mathematics and technical writing.
