a big proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

'a big proportion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a large or significant amount of something, e.g. "A big proportion of people attend college after high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

And a big proportion of them are women.

The New York Times

For many private schools costly fees make up a big proportion of their income.

The Guardian

Also, a big proportion of the squad are on their first trip to the northern hemisphere.

Independent

A big proportion of the company's clothes are made in India, which has become the world's capital of child labour.

The Economist

It is likely that such taxpayers also pay a big proportion of stamp duty, capital-gains tax and inheritance tax.

The Economist

The average English constituency contains 70,000 people.And old media take up a big proportion of people's leisure time.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

As investors have fled these funds, those losses have become a bigger proportion of remaining assets.

The New York Times

But with real wages stagnating, deposits are making up a bigger proportion of buyers' incomes.

The Guardian - Business

The figures also showed women made up a bigger proportion of the civil service than men overall.

The Guardian

A bigger proportion of them is in the "C" categories, the lowest tier for those that have not actually defaulted.

The Economist

The government said it spent about £50bn a year to support sick and disabled people – a bigger proportion of GDP than countries including Canada, France and the US.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big proportion", ensure that the context clearly defines what the proportion relates to. Providing specific numbers or comparisons can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a big proportion" without specifying what the proportion refers to. Be specific about the total and the portion to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big proportion" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a sizable quantity or share of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, aligning with numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big proportion" is a common and acceptable way to express that a significant part of a whole is being considered. Ludwig AI confirms this, demonstrating its frequent use across diverse sources like news, science, and business. While grammatically sound and widely understood, consider the context and audience when choosing between "a big proportion" and more formal alternatives like "a significant percentage" or "a substantial fraction". Clarity is key; always ensure the reference point of the proportion is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large fraction

Replaces "proportion" with "fraction", emphasizing the part-to-whole relationship.

a significant percentage

Substitutes "proportion" with "percentage", highlighting the numerical aspect.

a considerable portion

Uses "portion" instead of "proportion", suggesting a focus on the amount or share.

a substantial segment

Employs "segment" to underscore that the amount represents a section of a group.

a major part

Replaces the expression with a simpler wording for a significant component.

a good deal

Offers an idiomatic alternative focusing on quantity.

a notable share

Highlights the idea of the amount belonging to a particular entity.

a sizable chunk

Emphasizes the amount being a considerable piece of something, often in an informal way.

a dominant segment

Implies that the amount is influential or has control over other parts.

a primary component

Highlights the concept of being an essential ingredient.

FAQs

How can I use "a big proportion" in a sentence?

You can use "a big proportion" to indicate that a large part of a whole is being discussed. For example, "A big proportion of the budget is allocated to education."

What are some alternatives to "a big proportion"?

Some alternatives include "a large fraction", "a significant percentage", or "a considerable portion" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a large proportion" or "a big proportion"?

Both "a large proportion" and "a big proportion" are acceptable. "Large" might be considered slightly more formal, but the choice often depends on the overall tone of your writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "a big proportion"?

While generally acceptable, using "a big proportion" might be less suitable in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise or technical language is preferred. Consider alternatives like "a significant percentage" or "a substantial fraction" in those contexts.