a growing proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a growing proportion of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe a trend or phenomenon where something is becoming or increasing in size or importance within a larger group or category. Example: "A growing proportion of students are choosing to study abroad for a semester, indicating a shift in the priorities of young adults towards experiencing different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A growing proportion of women who give birth are unmarried.

The Washington Post

Sport provides a growing proportion of such events.

The Economist

Human maintenance will grow almost exponentially steered by demographics and a growing proportion of elderly citizens.

Yale University

"A growing proportion of homeowners are on fixed rate mortgages," he pointed out.

The Guardian - Business

Black and Latino minorities are a growing proportion of the American population — about thirty per cent.

The New Yorker

A growing proportion of people are suffering from clinical depression, anxiety and chronic loneliness.

The Guardian - Books

A growing proportion of the public refers to it, whether we like it or not".

The New Yorker

But this is not the case for a growing proportion of his country.

The Guardian

Despite many reform efforts, a growing proportion of funding comes from anonymous sources.

The Guardian - Opinion

During that period, African Americans were a growing proportion of the newcomers.

Britannica

A growing proportion of American children are being raised in disadvantaged families.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a growing proportion of", ensure that the context clearly defines the overall population or group from which the proportion is increasing. This provides a clear understanding of the trend being described.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a growing proportion of" automatically means an increase in absolute numbers. The total population could be shrinking, yet the proportion of a specific subgroup within it could still be growing. Always clarify whether you are discussing relative or absolute growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a growing proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating an increasing quantity or percentage of something within a larger whole. It suggests a trend or shift in distribution, as confirmed by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a growing proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to describe an increasing segment within a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as news, scientific research, and formal communications. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "an increasing percentage of" or "a rising share of", it's crucial to understand the specific nuances each conveys. When employing this phrase, clarify the baseline population to avoid ambiguity, and be mindful that a growing proportion doesn't necessarily imply an absolute numerical increase. By paying attention to context and source quality, you can effectively communicate trends and shifts using this common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an increasing percentage of

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage", emphasizing numerical growth.

a rising share of

Substitutes "proportion" with "share", focusing on the part owned or belonging to someone.

a larger segment of

Uses "segment" instead of "proportion", highlighting a specific group or section.

an expanding fraction of

Replaces "proportion" with "fraction", emphasizing a part of a whole, and "growing" with "expanding".

a burgeoning number of

Replaces "growing proportion" with "burgeoning number", indicating rapid growth in quantity.

a developing section of

Uses "developing" instead of "growing", suggesting a process of evolution or advancement.

a greater quantity of

Focuses on the increased amount rather than the proportional increase.

a more significant part of

Emphasizes the increasing importance of the part, rather than just its size.

a noticeable segment of

Highlights that the increase in proportion is easily observed.

an escalating amount of

Indicates a rapidly increasing quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a growing proportion of" to indicate that a certain segment within a larger group is increasing relative to the whole. For instance, "A growing proportion of students are using online resources for research".

What are some alternatives to "a growing proportion of"?

You can use alternatives like "an increasing percentage of", "a rising share of", or "a larger segment of" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to assume that "a growing proportion of" indicates an overall increase?

Not necessarily. "A growing proportion of" indicates a relative increase within a specific population. The overall population size might be decreasing, but the specified proportion is increasing relative to that shrinking total.

What's the difference between "a growing proportion of" and "a growing number of"?

"A growing proportion of" refers to an increase relative to the whole, while "a growing number of" refers to an increase in the absolute count. For example, even if the total student population declines, "a growing proportion of" them might be using online resources.