a fixed proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fixed proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific, unchanging ratio or relationship between two or more quantities. Example: "In this recipe, the ingredients must be combined in a fixed proportion to achieve the desired flavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each enzyme recognizes fixed restriction sites and produces fixed restriction tags; thus, it targets a fixed proportion of the deletions.

BMC Genomics

The various denominations should unite in memoralizing Congress to enact that the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, in selecting chaplains, shall not appoint more than a fixed proportion for any one denomination, and that the position shall not be held for longer than a fixed time by the ministers of any one Church.

Huffington Post

A fixed proportion (10%) of the flies was dissected and their infection status determined through microscopy.

Veterinary Parasitology

Governments then awarded licences to catch a fixed proportion of the quotas.

The Economist

Mozambique also received a fixed proportion of the Transvaal's railway traffic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Where groundwater extraction is licenced, regulators often respond to resource depletion by reducing all individual licences by a fixed proportion.

Journal of Hydrology

Any union proposition to conference would require not just simple majority support of delegates but support of a fixed proportion of both unions and constituencies.

The Guardian

The MPs had proposed a statutory code to free up local government from Whitehall and proposed that councils are handed a fixed proportion of income tax.

The Guardian

If private schools were willing to take a fixed proportion of low-income pupils, at random, they would be fairly sharing the burdens of the school system.

The Guardian - Opinion

The key to it is the assumption that consumers tend to spend a fixed proportion of any increases they receive in their incomes.

Britannica

A few small European corporations already distribute a fixed proportion of after-tax profits to the workforce, and these payments become a very tangible expression of members' rights.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fixed proportion", ensure that the context clearly defines what the proportion is relative to. For example, specify "a fixed proportion of total revenue" rather than just "a fixed proportion".

Common error

A common mistake is using "a fixed proportion" without specifying what it's a proportion of. Always clarify the base to which the proportion applies to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fixed proportion" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective, modifying another noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a specific, unchanging ratio or relationship. It's often part of a prepositional phrase, specifying the extent or amount of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fixed proportion" is a noun phrase that describes a constant ratio or percentage. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. To ensure clarity, specify what the proportion is relative to. Common errors include omitting the reference point, leading to ambiguity. Related phrases include "a constant ratio" and "a set percentage". The phrase serves to denote unchanging quantities, maintaining neutrality to formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a constant ratio

Replaces 'fixed proportion' with 'constant ratio', emphasizing the unchanging relationship between two quantities.

a set percentage

Uses 'set percentage' to indicate a predetermined and unchanging portion of a whole.

a consistent fraction

Uses 'consistent fraction' to express an unchanging part of a whole, similar to a fixed proportion.

a defined fraction

Employs 'defined fraction' to convey a specific and unalterable part of a whole.

a prescribed amount

Substitutes 'fixed proportion' with 'prescribed amount', focusing on a specific quantity that is predetermined.

an established quota

Employs 'established quota' to mean a specific and unchangeable amount or share.

a standard share

Replaces 'fixed proportion' with 'standard share', highlighting the consistent and regular allocation.

a designated quantity

Replaces 'fixed proportion' with 'designated quantity', indicating a particular amount that is assigned or specified.

a predetermined segment

Substitutes 'fixed proportion' with 'predetermined segment', focusing on an already decided part of the whole.

a stipulated allocation

Uses 'stipulated allocation' to indicate that a certain amount is required to be assigned.

FAQs

How do I use "a fixed proportion" in a sentence?

Use "a fixed proportion" to describe a constant ratio or percentage of something. For example, "The company allocates "a fixed proportion" of its budget to research and development."

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

You can use alternatives like "a constant ratio", "a set percentage", or "a defined fraction" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a fixed proportion of" or should I use another preposition?

"A fixed proportion of" is the correct preposition to use. For instance, "A fixed proportion of the profits is reinvested in the business."

What's the difference between ""a fixed proportion"" and "a variable proportion"?

"A fixed proportion" refers to a constant and unchanging ratio, while "a variable proportion" indicates that the ratio can change or fluctuate.