a proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a part or portion of something when compared to the whole. For example, "A proportion of the population is expected to be vaccinated by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They represent a proportion of the UK.

The Guardian

Then it measures their reliability as a proportion of this.

The New York Times

Or as a proportion of a country's total indigenous population.

The Guardian

Tuition as a proportion of income has risen.

The New York Times

Exports have fallen as a proportion of GDP for decades.

The Guardian

In stark contrast, the government is vowing to reduce government spending as a proportion of GDP and not to raise tax as a proportion of GDP.

The Guardian

These are levied as a proportion of wages.

The Economist

Spending as a proportion of GDP is steady.

The Economist

This is insignificant as a proportion of the total population.

The Economist

Public investment as a proportion of GDP has been declining.

The Economist

He's got a proportion of his savings in gold.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a proportion of", ensure the context clearly defines the whole to which the proportion relates. This prevents ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a proportion of" when the actual quantity is negligible or insignificant. Using a phrase like "a tiny fraction of" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a part, share, or quantity relative to a whole. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a portion or share of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "a percentage of" or "a share of" may sometimes be appropriate, "a proportion of" provides a general way to quantify parts of a whole, ensuring clarity and precision in writing. With a neutral tone and broad applicability, this phrase remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a percentage of

Focuses specifically on expressing the part as a value out of one hundred.

a share of

Suggests a part allocated or belonging to someone or something.

a fraction of

Implies a smaller part of the whole, often used when the proportion is relatively small.

a segment of

Emphasizes a distinct part or section of a larger group or entity.

a portion of

Highlights a part or serving that is divided or allocated.

a quantity of

Refers to an amount or number of something, often used for measurable items.

some part of

Indicates an unspecified amount or section of the whole.

a certain amount of

Specifies an indefinite quantity that is known or relevant.

a division of

Highlights the act of separating or allocating something into parts.

a piece of

Suggests a tangible or distinct part taken from a larger entity.

FAQs

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

Use "a proportion of" to indicate a part or share of a whole. For example, "A proportion of the profits will be donated to charity."

What are some alternatives to "a proportion of"?

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

Is it better to say "a proportion of" or "the proportion of"?

"A proportion of" refers to an unspecified part of a whole. "The proportion of" refers to a specific, often calculated, relationship between a part and a whole.

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

"Part of" is more general and can refer to any piece of a whole. "A proportion of" implies a quantitative relationship between the part and the whole.