a good proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant or adequate amount of something in relation to a whole. Example: "A good proportion of the participants expressed their satisfaction with the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, a good proportion of the artists warrant attention.

The New York Times

A good proportion is now oil and gas.

The Economist

But then a good proportion of drivers speed or are distracted by phones.

The Guardian

For a good proportion of the game there were only two Frenchmen on the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

A good proportion have to do with government corruption, whether it involves money or power.

The New Yorker

With the increased number of games shown, a good proportion of them are unattractive.

The Guardian - Sport

And a good proportion of the jokes in oral circulation involve sex or scatology.

The New Yorker

The school apparently couldn't meet the needs of a good proportion of its original students.

The New York Times

Those efforts will take care of a good proportion of the holidaymakers.

Independent

Stranger still, this view seems to be shared by a good proportion of business leaders.

The Economist

They need an intensive six-week period of support, with a good proportion of this being commercial.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good proportion", ensure the context clearly defines the 'whole' being referred to, to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "A good proportion were late", specify "A good proportion of the attendees were late".

Common error

Avoid using "a good proportion" when more precise numerical data is available. If you know that 75% of something is true, stating that is more informative than saying "a good proportion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good proportion" functions as a quantifier, indicating a significant but unspecified amount of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its function is to denote that a notable part of a group or quantity is being referenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good proportion" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that serves as a quantifier, indicating a significant but unspecified amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. While it is suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's essential to ensure the context clearly defines the 'whole' being referred to, and to avoid overuse when more precise data is available. As evidenced by its frequent appearance in news and media, it is a reliable way to convey the importance of a subset without resorting to specific numbers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant portion

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the part being considered.

a considerable amount

Highlights the size or extent of the quantity.

a substantial fraction

More formal, suggesting a mathematical or precise division.

a large segment

Implies that the whole is divided into distinct parts.

a fair number

Indicates a quantity that is adequate or acceptable.

a sizable chunk

Informal, suggesting a noticeable piece of something.

a healthy share

Conveys that the amount is beneficial or desirable.

a respectable quantity

Emphasizes that the amount is worthy of acknowledgment.

a decent percentage

Focuses on the proportional aspect, often used with numerical data.

an appreciable quantity

Stresses that the amount is easily noticed or measured.

FAQs

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

Use "a good proportion" to indicate that a significant part of a whole is being considered. For instance, "A good proportion of the survey respondents agreed with the proposed changes."

What are some alternatives to "a good proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant portion", "a considerable amount", or "a substantial fraction" depending on the context.

Is "a good proportion" formal or informal?

"A good proportion" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "a significant portion" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "a good proportion" and "a majority"?

"A good proportion" suggests a notable but not necessarily dominant part, whereas "a majority" implies more than half of the whole. "A good proportion" does not have a specific numerical threshold, while "a majority" always means over 50%.