a high proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a high proportion of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large number or percentage of something. For example, "A high proportion of students at the university are enrolled in business classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The population includes a high proportion of Tai.

Britannica

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

The Economist

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

The Economist

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

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

Stanford University

We find a high proportion of the rural elderly have migrant children.

Princeton University

A high proportion of women with unmet need are those who have experienced unwanted pregnancies.

Princeton University

Numerous people, including a high proportion of women, have been violently attacked over sorcery accusations.

The Guardian

French law demands a high proportion of songs on French radio in the national language.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a high proportion of", ensure that the context clearly defines the total against which the proportion is measured. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a high proportion of" when discussing small absolute numbers, even if the proportion is high. For example, instead of saying "A high proportion of our customers, all two of them, loved the product", consider rephrasing to emphasize the small sample size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a high proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a significant part or percentage of something is being referred to. According to Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a high proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a considerable part of a whole possesses a certain attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring clarity regarding the total being referenced and avoiding its application to small sample sizes. Consider alternatives like "a large percentage of" or "a significant fraction of" to tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large percentage of

Emphasizes the numerical aspect, focusing on the part out of a hundred.

a significant fraction of

Similar, but 'fraction' can imply a more general, non-percentage based portion.

a considerable amount of

Focuses more on quantity or size rather than a strict ratio.

a substantial number of

Replaces 'proportion' with 'number', highlighting the count rather than the relative size.

a good deal of

Less formal; suitable when the exact amount is not critical.

a majority of

Implies more than half, which may not always be the case with "a high proportion of".

most of

A simpler, more direct way to indicate that something applies to the greater part.

a large segment of

Highlights that the referenced portion is part of something bigger.

an important share of

Share implies the portion that belongs to someone/something.

a sizable quantity of

Focuses on the measurement of the part that is being highlighted.

FAQs

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

You can use "a high proportion of" to indicate that a significant part of a group or quantity possesses a certain characteristic. For example, "A high proportion of students at this university are international students."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "a large percentage of", "a significant fraction of", or "a considerable amount of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "a high proportion of" or "most of"?

"A high proportion of" generally sounds more formal and academic than "most of", which is suitable for everyday conversation. The choice depends on the intended audience and context.

How does "a high proportion of" compare to "a majority of"?

"A majority of" specifically indicates more than 50%, while "a high proportion of" suggests a substantial part but doesn't necessarily imply it's over half. Use "a majority of" when you know that more than half are referenced, otherwise, prefer the other option.