a major proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major proportion of" is correct and can be used in written English.
One way to use this phrase is to refer to a large portion or majority of something. For example, "A major proportion of the students at this school take the bus to get to school every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In some states, fentanyl makes up a major proportion of escalating opioid death tolls.

The Guardian

A major proportion of the world's population will be located in cities by 2030.

Research Policy

The production of plywood represents a major proportion of engineered wood products.

Journal of Cleaner Production

A major proportion of this goes into the manufacturing industries — automotive manufacture alone receives nearly 35% of industry funding.

Nature

Cardiopulmonary unplanned events (CUE) related to conscious sedation constitute a major proportion of GI endoscopy associated complications.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

It therefore accounts for a major proportion of rural employment and income and provides many landscape and biodiversity benefits.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) constitute a major proportion of children seen in tertiary hospitals with thromboembolic disease (TE).

Progress in Pediatric Cardiology

It is not worth considering the large-scale introduction of (non-hybrid) electric vehicles until a major proportion of our electricity is generated from genuinely renewable sources.

The Guardian

Gabon exports a major proportion of its petroleum production outside Africa, with the bulk of the crude oil going to the United States and France.

Britannica

In spite of depletion, the Minnesota and Michigan mines still yield a major proportion of the country's iron and a significant percentage of the world's supply.

Britannica

This is ascribed to the production of a major proportion of longer linear molecules in polymer, consistent with its higher conductivity when it is synthesized under stirring.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major proportion of", ensure that the context clearly defines the total amount or group being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a major proportion of" without providing sufficient context. For example, instead of saying "A major proportion of students struggled", specify "A major proportion of students in the introductory physics course struggled with the final exam."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major proportion of" functions as a quantifier, specifying that a significant, though not necessarily the largest, part of a whole is being referenced. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces a substantial segment of a given subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

16%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a substantial segment of a whole, carrying an implication of significance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, especially in scientific and news-related content. When writing, prioritize clarity by specifying the total being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternative phrases like "the majority of" or "a significant portion of" to add nuance, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of

Indicates more than half of the total.

a significant fraction of

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the portion.

a substantial segment of

Highlights the size and importance of the segment.

a notable portion of

Emphasizes that the portion is worthy of attention.

a large percentage of

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the proportion.

a considerable amount of

Highlights the quantity or extent of something.

a dominant share of

Highlights the controlling or leading part.

a good deal of

Indicates a large quantity or amount.

a sizable chunk of

Implies a large and noticeable piece or part.

a primary component of

Focuses on the role of being a key part of something.

FAQs

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

Use "a major proportion of" to indicate that a significant part of a whole is being referenced. For example, "A major proportion of the budget is allocated to research and development."

What phrases can I use instead of "a major proportion of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the majority of", "a significant portion of", or "a substantial part of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a major proportion of" or should I use "the major proportion of"?

"A major proportion of" is generally correct. "The major proportion of" might be appropriate if you are referring to a specific, previously identified proportion, but "a major proportion of" is more commonly used.

What's the difference between "a major proportion of" and "a large proportion of"?

While similar, "a major proportion of" often implies a more impactful or consequential amount compared to "a large proportion of". The choice depends on the emphasis you want to convey.