a reasonable proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the appropriate or acceptable amount of something in relation to a whole or a specific context. Example: "In order to maintain a balanced diet, it is important to consume a reasonable proportion of fruits and vegetables each day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We grew revenues and customer numbers across the business, subscriptions now account for a reasonable proportion of the business.

The Guardian

Or you can look at an entire country, and try to save a reasonable proportion of its forests.

Independent

In 1948, the educational reforms that came with the inauguration of the NHS required that a "reasonable proportion" of medical students were female.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fats tend to retard the digestion of other foods; thus, meat with a reasonable proportion of fat remains longer in the stomach, delaying hunger and giving "staying power".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Given that around one in four people are thought to suffer from mental health problems each year, it is pretty certain that a reasonable proportion of those who are mentally ill will end up practising science.

The Guardian

A Worldpublicopinion survey in 2010 found that, asked for their estimate of the proportion of the US budget spent on foreign aid,  the median guess was 25%; when asked what would be a reasonable proportion, the median opinion was 10%.

The Economist

Similarly, he says, once poor countries have established comprehensive mobile coverage, and a reasonable proportion of the population owns a handset, they have a platform from which new services, such as farming advice and mobile money, can be launched.

The Economist

Without these and other powers department officials can't work out how many students are attending, or whether colleges are teaching to a level where a reasonable proportion of students are likely to pass their courses, while the money is going out the door.

The Guardian

Traders and bankers would consider their risk-taking more carefully if a reasonable proportion of their previous year's bonus, say 50%, were used to mirror the following year's activity.For example, if a trader takes 10% of his book for a ten-year swap, then 5% of his previous year's bonus is used for the same position.

The Economist

This corresponds to a reasonable proportion of correctly ordered vignette responses compared to reports in the literature9.

IZA Journal of Migration

With a reasonable proportion between natural and artificial oases, the suitable scales of each would be 3400.3 5100.5 km2 and 2266.9 3400.4 km2266.9 3400.4

Quaternary International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reasonable proportion", ensure the context makes clear what constitutes 'reasonable' in that situation. Quantifying it further with numbers enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable proportion" without providing context or specific criteria for what 'reasonable' means in your specific scenario. It risks being interpreted subjectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable proportion" serves as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating an amount or share that is considered fair, appropriate, or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable proportion" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a fair or acceptable part of a whole, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its frequency is 'very common', appearing across diverse contexts, notably in scientific and news media sources. While grammatically correct, writers should strive to provide sufficient context to clarify what constitutes 'reasonable' in each specific scenario. Related phrases include "a fair share" and "an appropriate amount". Keep this overview in mind to leverage the expression in your own writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fair share

Emphasizes equity or justice in the amount.

an appropriate amount

Focuses on the suitability or fitness of the quantity for a specific purpose.

a substantial portion

Highlights that the amount is considerable or significant.

a considerable fraction

Similar to substantial, indicating a noteworthy part.

a decent amount

Suggests that the quantity is satisfactory or acceptable.

a notable segment

Emphasizes that the quantity is worth paying attention to.

a respectable quantity

Implies that the amount is worthy of esteem or approval.

a goodly measure

An older or more formal way of saying a good amount.

a fitting allocation

Highlights that the quantity is being assigned for a particular purpose.

an equitable distribution

Focuses on the fairness and balance of how something is divided.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable proportion" to indicate an acceptable or appropriate amount of something in relation to a whole. For example, "A reasonable proportion of the budget should be allocated to marketing."

What are some alternatives to "a reasonable proportion"?

You can use alternatives such as "a fair share", "an appropriate amount", or "a substantial portion depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use percentages instead of "a reasonable proportion"?

Using percentages can provide greater clarity and specificity than "a reasonable proportion", especially when the context requires precise measurements. However, "a reasonable proportion" can be suitable when a general indication is sufficient.

When is it appropriate to use "a reasonable proportion"?

It's appropriate to use "a reasonable proportion" when you want to indicate that something should be a fair or acceptable part of a whole, without specifying an exact quantity. This is particularly useful when precision is not required or when the specific amount can vary based on context.