a smaller proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or percentages to indicate that one quantity 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

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

Note, however, that this does not mean that a smaller proportion of the midges are tracked.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two groups, clearly state both groups to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "a smaller proportion of students failed", specify "a smaller proportion of students in Group A failed compared to Group B".

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller proportion of" without explicitly stating what the proportion is of. Ensure clarity by including the total from which the proportion is derived. For instance, instead of saying "a smaller proportion attended", clarify with "a smaller proportion of the registered members attended the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller proportion of" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that a particular subset constitutes a reduced fraction of the whole. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used to compare quantities across different groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a smaller proportion of" is a versatile and grammatically sound quantifier used to indicate a reduced fraction of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is particularly common in news and scientific writing, where precise comparisons are essential. While alternatives like "a lesser share of" and "a reduced percentage of" exist, ensuring clarity in comparisons and defining the scope of the proportion are crucial for effective communication. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and impactful use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lesser share of

Replaces "proportion" with "share", slightly changing the context to emphasize distribution.

a reduced percentage of

Substitutes "proportion" with "percentage", making the expression more directly quantitative.

a lower fraction of

Uses "fraction" instead of "proportion", implying a mathematical ratio.

a smaller percentage than

Adds "than" to explicitly indicate a comparison, making the relationship clearer.

a diminished quantity of

Replaces "proportion" with "quantity", focusing on the amount rather than the relative size.

a slighter amount of

Uses "amount" instead of "proportion", emphasizing the total quantity involved.

a more limited part of

Substitutes "proportion" with "part", highlighting the portion of a whole.

a less significant segment of

Employs "segment" instead of "proportion", suggesting a distinct section of a larger entity.

a reduced allocation of

Changes "proportion" to "allocation", indicating a specific assignment or distribution.

a lighter weighting of

Uses "weighting" instead of "proportion", implying a relative importance or influence.

FAQs

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

Use "a smaller proportion of" to indicate that a particular group or quantity represents a reduced fraction of a larger whole compared to another. For example, "A smaller proportion of the budget was allocated to marketing this year".

What are some alternatives to using "a smaller proportion of"?

You can use alternatives like "a lesser share of", "a reduced percentage of", or "a lower fraction of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a smaller proportion of" or "a lower proportion of"?

Both "a smaller proportion of" and "a lower proportion of" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "smaller" might emphasize quantity while "lower" can imply rank or value.

What's the difference between "a smaller proportion of" and "a smaller number of"?

"A smaller proportion of" indicates a reduced percentage relative to a whole, while "a smaller number of" simply refers to a lesser count or quantity. "A smaller proportion of students passed" means a smaller percentage passed, whereas "a smaller number of students passed" means fewer students passed in total.