a heavy proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant amount or percentage of something within a larger context. Example: "A heavy proportion of the budget was allocated to marketing efforts this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That Pollyanna-ish read of his prospects skips conveniently over the likelihood that he'll continue to struggle to appeal to African American voters, who make up a heavy proportion of Democratic voters in many of the states to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said, for instance, that it "might be appropriate" to require insurers to spend a heavy proportion of every premium dollar on health care as opposed to overhead and profit.

The New York Times

Second, the votes that have been counted so far contain a heavy proportion of early and absentee ballots, which are likely to favor Mr. Romney more than the votes cast today.

The New York Times

For the red, a 2002 Chinon Picasses from Olga Raffault, overflowing with cherry and herbal flavors, was a great choice at $44. Good low-end choices were easier among the whites than the reds, which had a heavy proportion of wines well above $100.

The New York Times - Food

Between 1997 and 2005, Labour lost 4 million votes, a heavy proportion of which were among its traditional working class electoral base.

Vice

The battle for black voters in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary has heated up in recent weeks, a sign of how crucial candidates and strategists see that bloc to a successful campaign, especially in a state with a heavy proportion of black voters.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Whites, too, are under-represented.The relatively heavy proportion of blacks may be seen as a bad thing: a sign that blacks have fewer opportunities and end up with the most dangerous and gruelling jobs.

The Economist

The heavy proportion of older skilled-trade workers puts into focus more than just the pending retirement for baby boomers and oft-cited but rarely quantified gap between the skills that employers need and available workers possess.

Forbes

The heavy proportion of elderly persons in the district may be attributed to the settled way of life of those residents who arrived during the building boom of the 1960s: the children of these residents moved elsewhere to live, leaving their parents in the old dwelling.

Wikipedia

The project aims to increase the freeway's reliability, efficiency, and safety, as the current two-lane configuration is subject to a large proportion of heavy vehicles and severe peak hour congestion.

Wikipedia

A large proportion of heavy smokers may have died from other causes than breast cancer during follow-up, possibly diluting our results.

Cancer Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a heavy proportion of", ensure the context clearly establishes what the proportion is relative to. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy proportion of" when "a large proportion of" is more appropriate. "Heavy" implies weight or burden, while "large" simply indicates size or quantity. Use "heavy" when the proportion has a negative or burdensome connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a significant portion or percentage is being referred to. Ludwig examples show its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a heavy proportion of" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a significant part of a whole. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's worth noting its nuance suggesting weight or impact alongside size. It appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "a significant amount of" or "a large percentage of" might be more appropriate depending on the intended emphasis and desired level of formality. Be mindful of the context to ensure the best fit for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant fraction of

Replaces "heavy proportion" with "significant fraction", changing the specific quantifier while maintaining a sense of a notable amount.

a substantial segment of

Substitutes "heavy proportion" with "substantial segment", implying a considerable and important part.

a considerable amount of

Replaces "proportion" with "amount", focusing on the quantity rather than the ratio.

a large percentage of

Uses "percentage" to specify that the amount is expressed as a part of 100, making it more quantifiable.

a major share of

Implies that the amount is a dominant part of the whole, shifting the emphasis to dominance.

a sizable portion of

Emphasizes the size of the part being considered, suggesting it's noticeably large.

a good deal of

Offers a more informal alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

a notable quantity of

Focuses on the quantity being significant or worthy of attention.

a preponderant part of

Indicates that the amount is greater in weight, force, or importance, adding a sense of dominance.

a dominant section of

Highlights that the amount is a leading or controlling part of something.

FAQs

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

Use "a heavy proportion of" to indicate a significant or substantial part of a whole. For example: "A heavy proportion of the budget was allocated to marketing."

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant amount of", "a substantial segment of", or "a large percentage of" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a heavy proportion of" or "a large amount of"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "A heavy proportion of" implies a significant weight or impact, while "a large amount of" simply refers to a considerable quantity.

Is there a difference between "a heavy proportion of" and "a significant proportion of"?

"A heavy proportion of" suggests that the large portion also carries weight or consequence, whereas "a significant proportion of" simply indicates that the portion is noteworthy.