a smaller proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or sizes, indicating that one part is less than another in relation to a whole. Example: "In the recent survey, a smaller proportion of respondents preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a smaller proportion than expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

A smaller proportion of revenue comes from corporate income taxes.

Britannica

Large parcel owners mowed a smaller proportion of their parcels.

Landscape and Urban Planning

What's more, business pays a smaller proportion of US taxes than it once did.

The Guardian

For example, a smaller proportion of African-Americans have flexible hours.

The New York Times

A smaller proportion of people absconding at the border are being found.

The Guardian

On the one hand, matchday income is becoming a smaller proportion of the overall pie.

The Guardian - Sport

As budgets get tighter, many services will receive a smaller proportion of the money available.

The Guardian

A smaller proportion of seedlings did not show learning, thus exhibiting the innate response (blue bars).

Nature

A smaller proportion of the people live in Cyrenaica, primarily in Benghazi and other coastal cities.

Britannica

But a smaller proportion of Republican AGs (16 of 28) got involved with defending those bans.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a smaller proportion", ensure you clearly define the 'whole' to which the proportion refers for clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what the proportion is "smaller" compared to. For example, instead of saying "A smaller proportion preferred the change", specify "A smaller proportion of employees preferred the change compared to the previous survey".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller proportion" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (often implicit) to indicate a quantity that is less relative to a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smaller proportion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a reduced quantity relative to a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. To maximize clarity, always specify the reference point for the proportion, avoiding ambiguity. When a more formal tone is needed, consider using "a lesser percentage" or "a reduced fraction". By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "a smaller proportion" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced fraction

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of the quantity being less.

a lesser percentage

Highlights the numerical aspect using the term percentage.

a diminished share

Emphasizes the reduction in allocation or ownership.

a lower quantity

Directly refers to the amount being less.

a smaller amount

Similar to "lower quantity" but with a broader application.

a minor segment

Highlights the division into parts and the relative size of one.

a reduced incidence

Focuses on the frequency of occurrence being less.

a lower incidence

Similar to "reduced incidence" but more direct.

a narrower segment

Emphasizes the reduced scope or extent.

a more limited part

Indicates a restriction in the portion or component.

FAQs

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

Use "a smaller proportion" to indicate that a part of a whole is less than another part. For example, "A smaller proportion of students chose to study abroad this year compared to last year".

What's a more formal way to say "a smaller proportion"?

Alternatives include "a lesser percentage" or "a reduced fraction", depending on the context.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "a smaller proportion" and "a smaller percentage"?

While similar, "a smaller proportion" emphasizes the relationship to a whole, while "a smaller percentage" highlights the numerical value of the reduced quantity.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "a smaller proportion"?

Ensure that the comparison is clear and that the "whole" being referred to is well-defined. Avoid vague statements like "a smaller proportion approved" without specifying of whom or what.