EASILY CONFUSED WORDS – RATIO AND RATION

I frequently see “ration” in place of “ratio” in scientific papers, and it is misused in many news reports.


 A RATIO is a quantitative relationship between two values (such as the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter).

 e.g. “In fact, a ratio of roughly 105 male births for every 100 female ones is generally seen as natural and normal.”

 “In the US, record-breaking high temperatures are outnumbering record lows by a ratio of two to one.”

 “His finance ministry is projecting a tax ratio of just below 12 percent this year.”


 A RATION is a fixed amount of something.

 e.g. “Lime cordial first originated in the 1700s when it was used by the Royal Navy to ensure sailors received their daily ration of lemon or lime juice.”



 Photo credit: Dan Heatherly

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS – PORTION/POTION

Although “potion” and “portion” differ by only one letter, their meanings are completely different.

Portions of potions?

 Depending on your interests, it’s much more likely that “portion” is the word you need, especially for academic writing.

 A portion is a part of a whole or a share of something.

 e.g. “The BBC understands that the three firms chosen are likely to retain a portion of their award even if their services are no longer needed, due to a deal being reached with Brussels.”

 It is also used to describe an amount of food suitable for or to be served to one person.

 e.g. “On average, muffins bought on-the-go at railway station food outlets had 19% more sugar per portion and were 32% bigger than those bought in supermarkets.”

 Harry Potter readers should be familiar with “potion” – this is a drink that is poisonous or has healing or magical properties.

e.g. “She was a beautiful young woman married to a famous archer, Hou-yi, who managed to win an immortality potion.”


The following use of “potion” is incorrect - this should be replaced with “portion”.

“Ms. Stallmach says that only a small potion of their annual income comes from government funding, with last year’s being less than 12 per cent.” ❌

Photo credit: Chris Potako