a significant proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a significant proportion of' is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to refer to a portion of a larger whole, usually to mean 'a large part of'. For example, "A significant proportion of the population is living in poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, a significant proportion of the P.L.O.

The New Yorker

False personal injury claims constitute a significant proportion of this.

The Guardian - Money

A significant proportion of APP exports are to Europe.

The Guardian

A significant proportion of the comments denigrated and dismissed her.

The Guardian

These losses represent a significant proportion of their income.

The Guardian

A significant proportion of the American electorate doesn't vote.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"A significant proportion of customers are not willing to compromise.

The Guardian

Praljak had already completed a significant proportion of his sentence.

The Guardian

These firms represent a significant proportion of the financial industry.

The Washington Post

Sponsorships capture a significant proportion of marketing budgets.

Journal of Business Research

Further, private providers manage a significant proportion of tuberculosis cases.

Tuberculosis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant proportion of", ensure the context clearly defines the total from which the proportion is drawn to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a significant proportion of the student body" rather than just "a significant proportion."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant proportion of" when the actual percentage is small or the impact is minimal. Quantify the proportion with specific numbers to provide accurate context and prevent exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a considerable part of the whole is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

35%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant proportion of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote a notable part of a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and it appears frequently in diverse contexts like news, academia, and scientific research. While alternatives exist, this phrase is particularly effective in emphasizing the importance of the specified segment without necessarily quantifying it with an exact number. It's essential to ensure clarity by explicitly defining the total from which the proportion is drawn and to avoid overstating the significance when the actual percentage is small.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable fraction of

Replaces 'proportion' with 'fraction' and 'significant' with 'considerable', emphasizing the substantial but possibly not overwhelming nature of the portion.

a substantial segment of

Substitutes 'proportion' with 'segment' and 'significant' with 'substantial', highlighting a sizable part of a population or group.

a large percentage of

Uses 'percentage' to quantify the amount and 'large' instead of 'significant', offering a more direct numerical feel.

a major portion of

Replaces 'significant' with 'major', suggesting the part is important or influential within the whole.

a notable share of

Emphasizes that the portion is worthy of attention or is easily observed.

a good amount of

Is less formal but indicates there is a worthwhile quantity or degree.

a respectable quantity of

Implies the amount is not only significant but also adequate or satisfactory for a particular purpose.

a marked degree of

Suggests a noticeable level or intensity, suitable for abstract nouns or qualities.

an appreciable quantity of

This version emphasizes that the amount can be readily assessed or is easily perceived.

a healthy chunk of

Uses 'chunk' informally to denote a sizable portion, suggesting abundance or plenty.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant proportion of" to indicate that a notable part of a larger group or whole is being referenced. For example, "A significant proportion of the budget was allocated to research and development."

What are some alternatives to "a significant proportion of"?

You can use alternatives like "a large percentage of", "a substantial number of", or "a considerable amount of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a significant proportion of" or a specific percentage?

Using a specific percentage (e.g., "60% of") is more precise and informative. However, "a significant proportion of" is useful when you want to emphasize the importance of the portion without needing to provide an exact figure.

What does "a significant proportion of" imply about the rest of the group?

"A significant proportion of" suggests that the remaining portion, while possibly smaller, may still be noteworthy. It highlights the importance of the specified segment without necessarily diminishing the relevance of the rest.