a proportionate amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proportionate amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities or distributions that are balanced or appropriate in relation to something else. Example: "The budget should allocate a proportionate amount of funds to each department based on their needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

If the index rises, your investment will increase by a proportionate amount.

The Guardian - Money

"Magazines began to calculate how much advertising a designer had paid for and offered a proportionate amount of editorial space.

The New York Times - Style

"There is a proportionate amount of people who work hard and others who just have it handed to them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is not known which titles pay more, Lord Black says, but those with a bigger circulation will fund a proportionate amount.

The Guardian

I do, however, spend a proportionate amount of space on the personal, political and artistic history of major novels like "Main Street," and on their cultural impact.

The New York Times - Books

Vitriolic as the attacks are, any successful band is liable to gain a proportionate amount of detractors, and Nickelback have shifted more than 50m records.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

This increased diversity of diagnoses has paralleled a large decrease in the absolute and proportionate amount of patients seen for schizophrenia or delusional disorders.

BMC Psychiatry

But we have to also maintain the current distribution in the code so higher income people are paying the same proportionate amount of taxes.

The New York Times

These would need to include the proportionate amount of material to run, full explanation of provenance (including, where appropriate, the identity of freelance writers), and no bylines for "reporters" required to rewrite copy.

The Guardian

What is unique for owners of co-ops and condos is that they can include in their basis their proportionate amount of the money spent for buildingwide capital improvements, though there are some stipulations.

The New York Times

For example, turquoise-blue enamel can be obtained from the black oxide of copper by using a comparatively high proportion of carbonate of soda; in the same way, a yellowish-green enamel can be obtained from the same black oxide by increasing the proportionate amount of red lead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a proportionate amount", ensure that the basis of the proportion is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "a proportionate amount of funding based on project size".

Common error

A common mistake is using "a proportionate amount" without specifying what it is proportionate to. Always clarify the reference point to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation. Be specific: instead of saying "allocate a proportionate amount", say "allocate a proportionate amount based on the number of users".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proportionate amount" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a quantity that is in direct and balanced relation to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its use in specifying balanced distributions or allocations, as seen in examples across news, science, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proportionate amount" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a quantity appropriately balanced with something else. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its presence across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business communications. To ensure clarity, always specify the basis of the proportion when using this phrase. Alternatives include "a suitable quantity", "a relative quantity", and "a corresponding amount".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suitable quantity

Replaces "amount" with "quantity", focusing on measurability.

a relative quantity

Using "relative" emphasizes the dependency on another factor for determining the amount.

an equivalent portion

Substitutes "amount" with "portion", suggesting a part of a whole that corresponds to something else.

a comparable quantity

Using comparable" puts more focus in a comparison with something else that share similar characteristics.

a corresponding quantity

Using corresponding" suggests one thing matches with another.

a comparable amount

It focuses on comparing two or more amounts.

a commensurate quantity

Implies the amount is appropriately aligned or proportional to something else, often based on a specific criteria.

an equitable share

Shift from "amount" to "share" and incorporates "equitable" to highlight fairness and justice in distribution.

a fair proportion

Emphasizes the fairness of the amount in relation to other amounts or entities.

a proportional share

Share" introduces a sense of distribution, highlighting that the result is just a fraction of a larger whole.

FAQs

How can I use "a proportionate amount" in a sentence?

Use "a proportionate amount" to describe a quantity that is in balance or correctly related to something else. For example, "The budget allocates "a proportionate amount" to each department based on their needs".

What is an alternative to "a proportionate amount"?

Alternatives include "an appropriate amount", "a corresponding amount", or "a relative quantity depending on the context".

How does "a proportionate amount" differ from "a proportional amount"?

While similar, "proportionate" implies a direct and balanced relationship between two quantities. "Proportional" can sometimes refer more generally to a relationship that maintains consistent ratios, whereas proportionate is mostly exact.

Is it better to use "proportionate amount" or "proportional amount"?

Both "proportionate amount" and "proportional amount" are grammatically correct, and their usage often depends on the specific context. "Proportionate" tends to emphasize the balanced relationship, while "proportional" focuses on the ratio between quantities. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.