a high proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a high proportion" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
Example: "A high proportion of students in the class scored above 90% on the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a high proportion.

The Economist

A high proportion were refugees living in Pakistan.

The Guardian

A high proportion, too, have glistening foreheads and bulging corporations.

The New Yorker

A high proportion of runners will be running at 160bpm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The population includes a high proportion of Tai.

Britannica

Through efficient transfer, a high proportion reaches the drive wheel.

The New York Times

Our population included a high proportion of hemophilic patients.

Journal of Infection

It is limited by a high proportion of nonresponders.

Journal of Cardiac Failure

It also has a high proportion of single-parent households.

The Economist

Protein makes up a high proportion of most insects' weight.

The Economist

Conversely, a high proportion of neutrophils, also known as granulocytes, were associated with adverse outcomes.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a high proportion", ensure the context provides a clear reference for what the proportion is being calculated from. For example, specify "a high proportion of students" rather than just "a high proportion."

Common error

Avoid using "a high proportion" without specifying the group or context. Saying "A high proportion are affected" lacks clarity. Instead, specify: "A high proportion of the population are affected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a high proportion" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that a significant part of a whole is being considered. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a high proportion" is a versatile phrase used to denote that a considerable part of a whole is under consideration. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts, reflecting its utility in analytical and descriptive writing. When using the phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what the proportion refers to, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives like "a significant percentage" or "a large fraction" can be used for variety, but "a high proportion" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant percentage

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage", quantifying the ratio more explicitly.

a large fraction

Substitutes "proportion" with "fraction", suggesting a part of a whole that is considerable.

a considerable amount

Uses "amount" to refer to a quantity that is notably large.

a substantial number

Replaces "proportion" with "number", emphasizing the quantity of items.

a majority

Implies more than half, indicating a dominant share.

a large segment

Uses "segment" to refer to a distinct part of a whole that is sizeable.

a notable share

Replaces "proportion" with "share", highlighting the part owned or belonging to someone.

a hefty portion

Uses "portion" to suggest a large part, often used informally.

a good deal

Implies a large quantity or extent, commonly used in informal contexts.

a major part

Replaces "proportion" with "part", emphasizing significance and size.

FAQs

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

Use "a high proportion" to indicate that a significant part of a whole is being referenced. For example, "A high proportion of the city's residents use public transportation."

What are some alternatives to "a high proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant percentage", "a large fraction", or "a majority" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a high proportion" or "a large proportion"?

Both "a high proportion" and "a large proportion" are acceptable. "High" might suggest a greater degree than "large", but they are often interchangeable.

What does "a high proportion" imply?

"A high proportion" suggests that a considerable part of a whole is being considered, without necessarily quantifying it precisely.