a ratio of three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ratio of three" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a relationship between two quantities, indicating that one quantity is three times the other. Example: "The recipe calls for a ratio of three parts water to one part rice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Israelis are killing Palestinians at a ratio of three to one.

The Guardian

The California measure was affirmed on a ballot initiative by a ratio of three to one.

The New York Times

At the plant, sewage and tannery waste are combined in a ratio of three to one.

The New Yorker

The Tories will outspend Labour by a ratio of three to one or worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

In spite of all this, cats are much more popular than dogs, by a ratio of three to one.

The New York Times

We have eight computers with a ratio of three teachers to one screen in the four schools of Fatehpur Shekhawati.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Losers outnumbered gainers by a ratio of eight to five.

The New York Times

Now it is using a ratio of four to one.

The New York Times - Sports

Most companies have a ratio of five or six porters for every hiker".

The Guardian - Travel

A ratio of zero, the default, indicates that any ratio is acceptable.

Stanford University

"A two-to-one ratio is understandable, but a ratio of four to one?" Ranadivé shook his head.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a ratio of three", ensure that the context clearly specifies what two quantities are being compared. For instance, "a ratio of three parts water to one part concentrate" is more precise than simply "a ratio of three".

Common error

Avoid assuming the "one" in "a ratio of three to one" always refers to a single unit. It represents the base value against which the "three" is compared, which may be a group or collection itself. For instance, a ratio of three teachers to one screen, doesn't imply that each teacher shares the screen. It implies the number of teachers per screen available to students.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ratio of three" serves primarily as a quantifying expression. It indicates a proportional relationship where one quantity is three times another. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts such as proportions, comparisons and relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a ratio of three" is a versatile phrase used to express a proportional relationship where one quantity is three times another. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While it can be used in neutral settings, it maintains a level of formality. For clarity, it is important to specify what two quantities are being compared and to avoid misinterpreting the base value. Ludwig AI helps to give best results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a proportion of 3 to 1

Replaces "ratio" with "proportion" and explicitly states the relationship to 1.

three to one relationship

Uses "relationship" instead of "ratio", emphasizing the connection between the two quantities.

a 3:1 ratio

Expresses the ratio numerically, which is a more concise representation.

in a 3 to 1 proportion

Similar to "a proportion of 3 to 1" but with a slightly different word order.

three-to-one correspondence

Substitutes "ratio" with "correspondence", implying a direct association.

three units for every one unit

Describes the ratio in terms of units, making it more explicit.

a threefold increase

Highlights that one quantity is three times the other, focusing on the multiplication.

triple the amount

Indicates that one quantity is three times the other by emphasizing the quantity.

three times as much

A more direct and informal way of saying that one quantity is three times another.

a triple portion

Emphasizes that there are three portions of the first quantity for every one portion of the other quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a ratio of three" in a sentence?

Use "a ratio of three" to describe a proportional relationship where one quantity is three times another. For example, "The recipe requires "a ratio of three to one" for flour and sugar."

What's a simple way to rephrase "a ratio of three"?

You can rephrase "a ratio of three" as "three times as much" or "a three-to-one ratio" depending on the context. For instance, instead of "the mixture has "a ratio of three"", you could say "the mixture has three times as much".

Is it correct to say "a ratio of three to one" or just "a ratio of three"?

While "a ratio of three" is understandable, it's more precise to say ""a ratio of three to one"" to clearly indicate the two quantities being compared. If the context already establishes the base quantity, "a ratio of three" might suffice.

How does "a ratio of three" differ from "three times more"?

"A ratio of three" describes the proportional relationship, while "three times more" emphasizes the increase or difference. For example, stating "there's "a ratio of three"" implies a 3:1 relationship, whereas "three times more" implies an increase of 300% over the original amount.