a disproportionate

USAGE SUMMARY

"a disproportionate" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to state that something is too big or too small in comparison with something else. For example, "She had a disproportionate amount of homework compared to the other students in her class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A disproportionate number are Jewish.

The Economist

Abolition seems a disproportionate reaction.

The Economist

They get a disproportionate amount of attention.

The Guardian

Witnesses described a disproportionate, ruthless attack.

The New York Times

They receive a disproportionate number of citations.

The Economist

A disproportionate number of theatergoers are lawyers.

The New York Times

There's a disproportionate number of old people.

The New Yorker

Was there a disproportionate use of force?

The Guardian - Opinion

A disproportionate number become involved in crime.

The New York Times

And premature babies face a disproportionate risk.

The New York Times

A disproportionate number of them are minorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with nouns like "number", "share", "amount" or "burden" to provide a clear context for the comparison.

Common error

Writers sometimes use the adjective "a disproportionate" when they actually need the adverb "disproportionately". For example, do not write "the costs were a disproportionate high"; instead, use "the costs were disproportionately high" or "there was a disproportionate cost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disproportionate" functions as an adjective phrase (indefinite article + adjective) that modifies a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to qualify quantities, risks or shares that do not align with a standard or expected ratio.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a disproportionate" is a highly effective linguistic tool for describing imbalances and lack of scale. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used extensively across prestigious publications like "The Economist", "The New Yorker" and various scientific journals. Its primary strength lies in its ability to quantify and qualify systemic or statistical irregularities with professional precision. Whether you are discussing social inequality, economic shares or scientific mutations, this phrase allows you to signal that a specific factor is carrying more or less weight than it should. By consistently appearing in verified, high-quality sources, "a disproportionate" is established as a reliable and correct choice for any writer aiming for analytical clarity and a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inordinate

Emphasizes that the amount is unusually large or exceeds reasonable limits

an excessive

Suggests a quantity that is more than necessary, normal or desirable

an imbalanced

Focuses on the lack of equilibrium between two or more parts

an unequal

Highlights a lack of parity or fairness in distribution

a lopsided

A more informal way to describe something that is heavily weighted on one side

an outsized

A journalistic alternative describing something exceptionally large relative to others

a disparate

Indicates that things are essentially different in kind and cannot be easily compared

an unwarranted

Suggests that the scale of something is not justified by the circumstances

a skewed

Implies a distortion in data or representation that favors one side

an unfair

Directly addresses the moral or ethical lack of proportion

FAQs

How do I use "a disproportionate" in a sentence?

You use it as an adjective phrase to modify a noun, indicating that something is out of scale. For example: "The small town receives "a disproportionate amount" of funding."

What can I say instead of "a disproportionate"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "an inordinate", "an excessive" or "an outsized".

What is the difference between "a disproportionate" and "an unequal"?

While both suggest a lack of balance, "a disproportionate" specifically implies a ratio that is off, whereas "an unequal" simply means not the same in quantity or status.

Is "a disproportionate" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a formal and professional phrase frequently found in academic journals, news outlets like "The Economist" and legal documents to describe imbalances.