a low proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a low proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statistics, data analysis, or comparisons where a small part of a whole is being referenced. Example: "In the survey, a low proportion of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women still represent a low proportion of the workforce, but the numbers are growing.

The Guardian

This is a low proportion of its budget, but a large amount of money in real terms.

The Guardian

A low proportion of individuals met the AI for dietary fiber.

Nutrition Research

However, they accounted for a low proportion of total hospital days.

The Journal of Pediatrics

Throughout the year bird abundance was higher in squares with a high proportion of organic farming compared to those with a low proportion of organic farming, but only when they were surrounded by land with a low proportion of agriculture.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

We observed that RFP-GmSKRP1/2 fusion proteins predominantly accumulated in the nucleoplasm, with a low proportion of nuclear speckle localization (Supplementary Fig. 8a, b).

Nature

Characterizes the canine odorant receptor gene family, demonstrating a low proportion of pseudogenes and describing two large families on canine chromosomes 18 and 21.

Nature

France has a low proportion of skilled immigrants.Mr Sarkozy's bill aims to reverse this trend, by introducing selective immigration.

The Economist

It may be a low proportion of the market but it is growing and should not be ignored.

BBC

In conclusion, these conditions account for a low proportion of headache consultations.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A low proportion of viewers believed that they were in the Mask condition (Question 3) and a low proportion picked the mask out from an array of real face photos (Question 4).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, follow "a low proportion" with a specific numerical value (e.g., percentage or fraction) to quantify the extent of the low proportion.

Common error

Avoid using "a low proportion" without specifying what the proportion is low compared to. Always provide a reference point for comparison to ensure the statement is meaningful. Without context, its impact is significantly reduced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a low proportion" primarily functions as a qualifier, indicating a small amount or share of something relative to a whole. As Ludwig demonstrates, it often introduces statistical or comparative data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a low proportion" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a quantity or amount is small relative to a whole. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in scientific and news contexts, indicating its use in factual reporting and analysis. It's grammatically correct and widely accepted, as noted by Ludwig AI. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key: ensure the reference group is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a small percentage" or "a minimal fraction" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small percentage

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage", focusing on the numerical aspect of the quantity.

a minimal fraction

Substitutes "low" with "minimal" and "proportion" with "fraction", emphasizing the smallness of the quantity.

a limited amount

Replaces "proportion" with "amount", suitable when referring to non-countable items.

a modest share

Uses "modest" instead of "low" and "share" instead of "proportion", suggesting a slightly more significant, though still small, part.

a reduced quantity

Focuses on the reduced aspect using the word "quantity" instead of "proportion".

a negligible part

Emphasizes that the part is so small as to be almost insignificant by using the word "negligible".

a scarce number

Highlights the scarcity of the number or item in question.

a slim segment

Uses "slim" and "segment" to emphasize that what is being discussed is narrow or thin.

an insignificant portion

Implies the portion is not important or impactful.

a tiny quantity

Uses "tiny" to illustrate the quantity is very small.

FAQs

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

Use "a low proportion" to indicate that a small part of a whole is being referenced. For example, "A low proportion of the population uses public transportation".

What are some alternatives to "a low proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "a small percentage", "a minimal fraction", or "a modest share depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a low proportion" or "a small percentage"?

Both "a low proportion" and "a small percentage" are acceptable, but "a small percentage" is more specific and quantitative. Use "a low proportion" when you want to emphasize the relative size, and "a small percentage" when you want to provide a numerical value.

When is it inappropriate to use "a low proportion"?

It's inappropriate to use "a low proportion" when you don't have a clear reference for what constitutes the whole. Always ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the total from which the proportion is derived.