What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subset
Example
The set of even numbers is a subset of the set of integers. [subset: noun]
Example
This group of students is a subset of the entire class. [subset: noun]
Example
All squares are a subset of rectangles. [subset: noun]
fraction
Example
One-third is a fraction of the whole. [fraction: noun]
Example
The fraction 3/4 represents three parts out of four. [fraction: noun]
Example
Only a fraction of the total budget was allocated to this project. [fraction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fraction is more commonly used than subset in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications beyond mathematics and computer science.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subset and fraction?
Both subset and fraction are formal words that are commonly used in academic and technical writing. However, subset is more specialized and may be considered more technical than fraction.