a wrong proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wrong proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an imbalance or incorrect ratio in various contexts, such as mathematics, cooking, or resource allocation. Example: "The recipe calls for a wrong proportion of ingredients, resulting in a dish that doesn't taste right."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, a wrong proportion of concrete or an unsuited method of filling can generate a heterogeneous distribution of its various constituents.

Construction and Building Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is quite the wrong proportion for it to take off.

The Guardian - Business

Things were in the wrong proportion and it all looked slightly out of kilter, but the advantage of having a designer is that you get a much better end result.

Independent

Making his way down a long, angular hallway to the living room, Mr. Marvin was delighted by what he found: Although Ms. Sperling said she felt her old sofa was "too chunky" and the wrong proportion for the room, Mr. Marvin liked its shape and its clean, tailored lines.

The New York Times

If this is the case, then the wrong proportion of components forming the sponge-like body that resulted from the RNAi of Brownie should have led to the observed phenotype.

Plosone

If you mix the ingredients in the wrong proportion and in the wrong way it doesn't give as good a result as it could do.

WikiHow

He said the university system was producing graduates "in the wrong proportions" for the labour market: too few engineers, for instance, and too many lawyers.

The Guardian

Head of production design Alan Davis said the first bay window was built to the wrong proportions.

BBC

Diodes conduct in a wrong way.

Analog Circuit Design A Tutorial Guide to Applications and Solutions

A) A wrong one.

Science Magazine

A wrong match is highlighted in boldface.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing recipes or chemical formulas, using "a wrong proportion" highlights that the incorrect ratio of ingredients or components will lead to undesirable outcomes. Be specific about what the consequences might be.

Common error

Avoid using "a wrong proportion" when you mean an incorrect percentage of a whole. "Proportion" refers to the relationship between different parts, while "percentage" refers to a part out of a hundred. For example, use "a high percentage of errors" instead of "a wrong proportion of errors" if you're talking about errors relative to the total.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wrong proportion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies an incorrect or inappropriate relationship between two or more quantities. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically sound and clear in its intent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wrong proportion" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an incorrect or inappropriate relationship between different quantities. It commonly appears in scientific, news, and formal contexts to indicate imbalance or error. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered valid. While semantically similar phrases like "an incorrect ratio" or "a disproportionate amount" exist, "a wrong proportion" is a clear way to pinpoint the cause of flaws or problems. It's essential to differentiate proportion from percentage, ensuring correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an incorrect ratio

Replaces "wrong" with "incorrect", maintaining the same meaning with slightly more formal tone.

an improper balance

Substitutes "proportion" with "balance" and "wrong" with "improper", focusing on equilibrium.

a flawed ratio

Uses "flawed" instead of "wrong", suggesting a defect in the ratio itself.

a disproportionate amount

Shifts the focus to the amount being imbalanced rather than the ratio itself.

an imbalanced distribution

Focuses on how something is spread out, highlighting the lack of evenness.

a skewed proportion

Emphasizes the distortion or bias present in the ratio.

an inappropriate ratio

Replaces "wrong" with "inappropriate", suggesting the ratio is unsuitable for the context.

a faulty balance

Similar to "improper balance" but emphasizes a mechanical or inherent flaw.

an unequal distribution

Highlights the lack of equality in how something is spread or divided.

a mismatched ratio

Suggests the elements of the ratio don't correspond correctly.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wrong proportion" to indicate that the relationship between parts of a whole is incorrect, leading to an undesirable outcome. For example, "The cake failed because it had "a wrong proportion" of flour to sugar."

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

More formal alternatives include "an incorrect ratio" or "a disproportionate amount", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have "a wrong proportion"?

Yes, the phrase "a wrong proportion" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that something is imbalanced or incorrect, leading to undesirable consequences. However, it can be used humorously or ironically in some contexts.

What is the difference between "a wrong proportion" and "a faulty balance"?

"A wrong proportion" refers to the incorrect relationship between different parts, while "a faulty balance" implies a defect in equilibrium or arrangement. While they can be similar, "a faulty balance" often suggests a more systemic or inherent issue.