a low proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a low proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a small portion of something compared to an overall whole. For example, "A low proportion of students are in favor of the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

The Economist

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

The Journal of Headache and Pain

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

The Journal of Pediatrics

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

Nutrition Research

This leads to a high proportion of patents owned domestically and a low proportion of patents owned by foreigners.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Across all four trials, a low proportion of patients developed HAHA positivity during the double-blind placebo-controlled periods.

Autoimmunity Highlights

No other country in our sample has such a low proportion of refugees as a share of all residence permits.

IZA Journal of Migration

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

Our research suggests that a substantial portion of these increases were in states with a low proportion of Jews.

Huffington Post

Windy Nook has a low proportion of lone parent households at some 7.2% of all households.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a low proportion of", ensure the context clearly defines the total amount or population the proportion refers to for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a low proportion of" without specifying what the proportion is relative to. Always provide the total or context, otherwise the statement becomes meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a low proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies represents a small part of a larger whole. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

17%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a low proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a small quantity relative to a larger whole. It's grammatically correct and frequently used in both scientific and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid and useful across a variety of domains. When writing, remember to provide context for what the proportion refers to and avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "a small fraction of" or "a minimal percentage of" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small fraction of

Replaces "proportion" with "fraction", emphasizing a smaller part of a whole.

a limited amount of

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

a minimal percentage of

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage", making it explicitly about a percentage.

a reduced quantity of

Uses "quantity" instead of "proportion", highlighting the limited number.

a scarce number of

Replaces "proportion" with "number", focusing on the rarity.

only a handful of

Expresses a very small quantity using an idiomatic expression.

a minority of

Focuses on the concept of being in the minority.

a trickle of

Implies a very small and slow flow or amount.

an insignificant portion of

Highlights the lack of significance in the amount.

a negligible quantity of

Emphasizes that the quantity is so small it can be ignored.

FAQs

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

You can use "a low proportion of" to indicate a small quantity or percentage compared to a larger whole. For example, "A low proportion of the budget was allocated to marketing."

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

Alternatives include "a small fraction of", "a limited amount of", or "a minimal percentage of", depending on the specific context.

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

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a small percentage of" is more direct when referring to percentages. "A low proportion of" can be used more broadly to refer to quantity, not just percentages.

What does "a low proportion of" imply?

The phrase "a low proportion of" implies that the quantity or number being discussed is relatively small when compared to the total amount or population. It suggests that the specific group or item is not a major part of the whole.