a question of proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a question of proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relative size, amount, or importance of something in comparison to another. Example: "In this debate, it's really a question of proportion; we need to consider how much impact each factor has on the overall outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Maybe it's a question of proportion.

The New York Times - Books

"To me, it's a question of proportion," Mr. Costas said of comedy during games.

The New York Times - Arts

Given that the sum total of priests convicted of abuse in England and Wales in the past 50 years is less than half of one per cent, there is a question of proportion here: the ordained are no more likely to commit abuse than people of any other vocation or profession.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It comes down to a question of proportions, of asking whether one is asking if the alleles at a locus are selectively neutral now or have been for millions of years, of whether one argues at the DNA or protein level, and so on.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's all a question of balance and proportion.

The New York Times

WITH the Meadowlands Giants headed for the Super Bowl, we in New York must come to grips with a question of epic proportions.

The New York Times

How can he have such beautiful children and not be a great guy?" For others it's a question of near biblical proportions.

The Guardian

It is a question of several related proportions: the size of the dots, the height and width of the canvas on which they occur.

The New York Times - Arts

He discusses the crucial question of proportion and percentage – how many times larger than the lowest, or average, salary in a company is the pot taken by the chief executive and his cronies?

The Guardian - Opinion

Responding to the complaints, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg told a separate House panel on Thursday that "stopping a potential humanitarian disaster of massive proportions became a question of hours, not days.

HuffPost

It is a moral and philosophical question of major proportions.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a question of proportion", ensure that the context clearly establishes what elements are being compared and why their relative sizes or amounts are significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a question of proportion" when the issue is not about relative amounts but about inherent qualities or absolute values. Be sure that there are actually quantities or aspects to compare.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question of proportion" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a matter of relative size, amount, or importance. It typically serves as a subject complement or an appositive, setting the stage for further analysis of the proportions involved. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a question of proportion" is a grammatically sound and readily usable English expression, as Ludwig AI states. It's most effectively employed to emphasize that the central issue revolves around comparing the relative sizes, quantities, or importance of different components. While the phrase appears across different contexts, including news media, academia, and science, its use is infrequent; so careful contextualization is important. Related phrases like "a matter of balance" or "an issue of scale" can provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings, while avoiding common misapplications by ensuring the context warrants comparison of quantities or relative amounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of balance

Focuses on equilibrium rather than relative quantity or importance.

an issue of scale

Emphasizes the relative size or extent of something.

a problem of relative size

Specifically mentions size as the element under consideration.

a problem of perspective

Highlights the importance of viewpoint rather than concrete quantities.

a matter of perspective

Focuses on how one views a situation rather than amounts.

an issue of relative magnitude

Emphasizes the magnitude or significance of something in relation to another.

a question of emphasis

Shifts focus to what is being prioritized or highlighted.

a problem of relative importance

Explicitly mentions importance rather than implied proportion.

an element of comparison

Highlights the act of comparing different entities or aspects.

a matter of weighting factors

Focuses on the importance assigned to different elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "a question of proportion" to indicate that the key issue is the relative size, amount, or importance of something compared to something else. For instance, "The success of the project is a question of proportion; we need to allocate resources effectively."

What's the difference between "a question of proportion" and "a matter of balance"?

"A question of proportion" suggests a comparison of relative amounts or sizes, while "a matter of balance" implies a need for equilibrium or equal distribution. The former is about ratios, the latter about stability.

What can I say instead of "a question of proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "a matter of scale", "an issue of relative magnitude", or "a problem of perspective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a question of proportion" in formal writing?

Yes, "a question of proportion" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing resource allocation, comparative analysis, or any scenario where relative amounts are important.