a fair proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fair proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reasonable or just amount of something in relation to a whole. Example: "The survey revealed that a fair proportion of respondents preferred online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Opinion

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A fair proportion of them were potboilers, but this does not derail Galbraith from his task.

The New York Times - Books

Doubtless, a fair proportion of you, on reading that will instantly turn up your noses.

Independent

A fair proportion of homes visible to highway traffic have additions built of plastic sheeting.

The New York Times

I bet that a fair proportion of the 37% did not appreciate the implications of what they were doing.

The Guardian - Business

Most dive shops rent equipment, and a fair proportion of their income is generated through equipment rentals.

The New York Times - Travel

Some commentators, on the other hand, say their analysis suggests a fair proportion of Trump's support came from America's wealthy.

The Guardian

She says a fair proportion of a volunteer's money should go to projects, benefiting both the community and the volunteer.

The Guardian - Money

Unlike the work of most French mainstream directors, a fair proportion of his pictures have crossed the Channel.

The Guardian - Film

A fair proportion of this eye-watering fortune was made during the recession as the Armani brand expanded into China.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A fair proportion of what we are aware of have come to us by word of mouth.

The New Yorker

A fair proportion of very good fossils just disappear from knowledge, and few are ever seen again".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fair proportion of", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'whole' is to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "A fair proportion of students failed", specify "A fair proportion of students in the math class failed".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a fair proportion of" always implies a large quantity. The fairness of the proportion depends on the context and expectations. What is considered 'fair' might be surprisingly small or large depending on the circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair proportion of" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a reasonable or considerable amount of something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

18%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a reasonable or considerable quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the 'whole' being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "a considerable amount of" or "a significant portion of" for variety or to emphasize different aspects of the quantity. Avoid the assumption that 'fair' always means 'large'; its meaning depends on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount of

Focuses on the quantity being substantial.

a significant portion of

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the part.

a reasonable share of

Highlights the fairness and justness of the part.

a good percentage of

Quantifies the part using percentages, making it more precise.

a notable fraction of

Uses the term fraction to represent the part.

a substantial segment of

Implies the part is a distinct and large section.

an appreciable quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is noticeable or measurable.

a decent amount of

Indicates that the amount is adequate or acceptable.

a respectable quantity of

Suggests the amount is worthy of respect or admiration.

a healthy chunk of

Uses "chunk" to imply a sizable and significant part.

FAQs

How can I use "a fair proportion of" in a sentence?

Use "a fair proportion of" to indicate a reasonable or considerable amount of something in relation to the whole. For example: "A fair proportion of the budget was allocated to marketing."

What can I say instead of "a fair proportion of"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable amount of", "a significant portion of", or "a reasonable share of" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a large proportion of" or "a fair proportion of"?

While both indicate a considerable amount, "a large proportion of" simply emphasizes the size, whereas "a fair proportion of" implies that the amount is reasonable or just in relation to the whole. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

Does "a fair proportion of" imply a majority?

No, "a fair proportion of" does not necessarily imply a majority. It simply means a reasonable or considerable amount. A majority would be more accurately described as "a majority of" or "most of".