What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ration
Example
The soldiers were given a daily ration of food and water. [ration: noun]
Example
During the war, the government had to ration gasoline to conserve resources. [ration: verb]
portion
Example
I only ate a small portion of the pizza because I was full. [portion: noun]
Example
The chef carefully portioned out the ingredients for the recipe. [portion: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Portion is more commonly used than ration in everyday language. Portion is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while ration is more specific and often used in formal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ration and portion?
Ration is typically associated with a more formal or official tone, while portion is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
