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Robinson
What's the difference between "segment" "section" and "portion"
Dec 29, 2017 12:34 AM
Answers · 2
They mean pretty much the same thing. I think what would be most helpful is to know which ones are more applicable to certain subjects, and which are used more often.
They all mean "one part of a whole" but:
When talking about food, we use "portion" very often.
Example: I gave each child a portion of the food.
Example: I try to only eat a small portion of dessert.
Section is the most versatile in terms of use. You can talk about a section of a building (like a room or area). Or a section of a website. Or a section of some cloth or other material you're cutting into separate parts. Or a specific part of a book.
Example: Here is the science fiction section of the library.
Example: In this section of the textbook, it talks about verb tenses.
Example: The wood was measured and cut into three sections.
"Segment" is used a lot less often than "section". If you're in a mathematics class and discussing lines, you'll hear "segment" a lot. But otherwise, "section" is usually a better choice.
Example: This segment of the line is on a separate plane.
December 29, 2017
I would have to give you case usage as in some cases they are interchangeable. Here are where they are not interchangeable.
I think there is reference to the whole in segment. (I cant justify this properly its just a feeling) haha.
We say orange (果)segment. We can't use the other two.
Section (i think the cutting root of this word is more relevant) haha
Probably closer to part. We can say a VIP section or history section. Again we cannot use the other two here.
Portion (use as a lumping or grouping) haha
We can use this for food generally. Like one helping.
Or a portion of fish and chips.
We cannot use the other two here.
December 29, 2017
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Robinson
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), English
Learning Language
English
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