English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
POTION or PORTION?
He behaves like he has been given a love ~portion~ (nonstandard).
He behaves like he has been given a love potion (standard). A liquid that is believed to have a magical effect on someone who drinks it is called a potion. Note that it is a countable noun and should be used with an article when it is not pluralised:
Magical potion ✖️
A magical potion ✔️
Magical potions ✔️
Note too that the first “o” in “potion” is pronounced like the one in “poll”, not like the “or” in “portion”.
Portion means a part of a whole or a person’s destiny or lot:
A large portion of the profit goes to him. ✔️
She accepted her portion of the blame. ✔️
