a vast proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a large percentage or significant part of a whole in various contexts, such as statistics or demographics. Example: "A vast proportion of the population supports the new policy, indicating a strong consensus among citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Charging for entry would immediately exclude a vast proportion of our society.

The Guardian

From humble internal communications beginnings, email now dominates a vast proportion of everyday life.

The Guardian - Tech

A vast proportion of 21st-century art traces its origins to these words, that pissotière.

The Guardian - Books

Compromising its natural tourist attractions would undoubtedly put a vast proportion of its economy – and corresponding jobs – at risk.

The Guardian

The third was that a vast proportion of the welfare budget went on the unemployed and the "feckless".

The Guardian - Business

Whether highly visible or merged with the existing cityscape, a vast proportion of the fabric of any city is made up of residential space.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It's like… the world's fair of all art ever (I'm sure a sad and vast proportion will never reemerge for various reasons, but you know what I mean).

Vice

This is a reminder that the vast proportion of casualties of terrorism are Muslims killed by co-religionists.

The Guardian

Although much of evolutionary biology has understandably focused on the dynamics of reproduction and its consequences, in reality the vast proportion of an organism's lifespan is given over to economic, rather than reproductive, pursuits.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Investigators say the rule on halting trading was created for a time when one exchange accounted for the vast proportion of stock trading.

The New York Times

Excepting a small number of spectacular headline strikes such as the 9/11 operation itself, the vast proportion, 95% perhaps, of violent attacks have occurred within a couple of hours' travel, at most, from where the perpetrators lived or grew up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast proportion" to emphasize the large size of a part relative to the whole, particularly when precision is less important than conveying the scale.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast proportion" excessively in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise terms like "percentage" or "ratio" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast proportion" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying a noun. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing a substantial part of a whole.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a vast proportion" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to describe a large part of a whole, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in news, scientific writing, and academic contexts, making it suitable for various levels of formality. While effective for emphasizing scale, it's crucial to avoid overuse in contexts requiring precise quantitative data. Consider alternatives like "a significant portion" or "a large segment" for subtle variations in meaning. Remember to tailor your choice to the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a good percentage

Uses "percentage" to clarify the part in mathematical terms.

a significant portion

Replaces "vast" with "significant", indicating a notable but not necessarily overwhelming amount.

a major share

Highlights the dominance of the part in relation to the whole.

a large segment

Substitutes "proportion" with "segment", emphasizing a division of a whole into sizeable parts.

a dominant portion

Implies the part is more powerful or influential compared to other parts.

a considerable amount

Focuses on the quantity rather than the ratio, using "amount" instead of "proportion".

the lion's share

An idiomatic expression indicating the largest portion.

a substantial fraction

Emphasizes that the part is a notable piece of the whole.

a sizable chunk

Uses a more informal term, "chunk", to denote a significant piece.

a healthy slice

Suggests the amount is more than adequate or satisfactory.

FAQs

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

Use "a vast proportion" to indicate that a large part of something is being referred to. For example, "A vast proportion of the budget is allocated to healthcare".

What are some alternatives to "a vast proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant portion", "a large segment", or "a considerable amount" depending on the specific context.

Is "a vast proportion" formal or informal?

The phrase "a vast proportion" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, highly technical or scientific writing might benefit from more precise quantitative terms.

What's the difference between "a vast proportion" and "a large majority"?

"A vast proportion" refers to a large part of a whole, whereas "a large majority" refers specifically to a large number of people or votes, often implying more than 50%.