Cool MatePortion vs Sample
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Portion
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Sample
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Sample
| Portion | Sample | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɔːʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɔːrʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɑːmpl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsæmpl/"]/ |
| Meaning | a part of something larger | A small part of something used to show what the whole is like. |
| Example | I only ate a small portion of the pie, as I wasn't really hungry. | He provided a sample of the product for us to test. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | considerable, good, huge, make up, take up, portion of, double, generous, large, eat, portion of, divide something into portions, considerable, good, huge, make up, take up, portion of | large, small, total, draw, select, comprise something, consist of something, size, survey, group, sample from, sample of, blood, faecal/fecal, serum, collect, obtain, take, contain, show, sample of, free, book, sample of |
| Antonyms | whole, entirety, total | whole, entirety |
| Common mistakes | Using 'portion' with plural nouns (e.g., 'portions of food' is correct, but don't say 'portion of foods')., Confusing 'portion' with 'proportion', which refers to a ratio., Using 'portion' when referring to an entire object instead of a part. | Confusing 'sample' with 'exemplar' - they have different meanings., Using 'sampled' incorrectly as a verb form in past tense., Mixing up 'sample' as a noun and a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'portion' when you refer to a part of food, quantity, or share. It's neutral and suitable for everyday conversations and formal writing. Avoid using it when discussing something that can't be divided easily. | Used in scientific, business, and educational contexts when referring to testing or showing examples. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing products or experiences. |
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Frequently asked questions: Portion vs Sample
What's the difference between Portion and Sample?
Portion: a part of something larger Sample: A small part of something used to show what the whole is like.
Which is more common: Portion and Sample?
Sample is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Portion and Sample?
Portion is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Portion and Sample the same CEFR level?
Portion: B2, Sample: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Portion and Sample?
Portion: noun, Sample: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Portion: I only ate a small portion of the pie, as I wasn't really hungry. Sample: He provided a sample of the product for us to test.
Can I use Portion and Sample interchangeably?
Not always. Portion and Sample are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.