an equal proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an equal proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where two or more parts are represented in the same amount or ratio. Example: "In the study, the participants were divided into two groups with an equal proportion of males and females."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three-quarters of the nation's 26 million people cannot read, and an equal proportion have no safe drinking water.

The New York Times

Manufacturing contributes roughly one-sixth of GDP and employs an equal proportion of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A fair proportion are interested in addressing climate change and an equal proportion are tired of the standard of political debate.

The Guardian

Roughly one-third of the city lay in ruins, and an equal proportion of the population nearly 100,000 people was homeless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The crows were then presented with two tubes, one half-filled with water and another with an equal proportion of sand.

The Economist

As evidence of Argentines' disillusionment with government, Mr. Ades noted that one-fifth of the population did not vote in the nationwide elections in October, and an equal proportion deliberately spoiled their ballots.

The New York Times

The reasons for treatment discontinuation were lack of efficacy and side effects in an equal proportion.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

However, such an equal proportion is apparently too simple for the practical applications.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Just over half had never been married (52.1%%) and an equal proportion had a university degree.

Crime Science

After matching the case and control cohorts contained an equal proportion of males and females.

Health Economics Review

And, for many, an equal proportion of what they work with is text — be it code, email, or published content like this.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an equal proportion", ensure that the categories or groups being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "an equal proportion had a degree", specify "an equal proportion of men and women had a university degree".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "an equal proportion" automatically indicates a lack of meaningful difference. Even if two groups have an equal proportion of a trait, this might still be statistically significant due to other factors, such as sample size or underlying distributions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an equal proportion" functions as a determiner phrase specifying that two or more entities possess the same ratio or fraction of a particular attribute or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an equal proportion" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that different groups or categories share the same relative quantity or ratio of something. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While it is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the groups being compared and to avoid misinterpreting statistical significance. Alternative phrases like "an equal share" or "a balanced ratio" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Ultimately, understanding the specific context is key to effectively using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an equal share

Replaces "proportion" with "share", emphasizing the idea of a part or amount belonging to someone or something.

an equal percentage

Specifies the "proportion" as a percentage, making the equivalence more precise and quantifiable.

an equal extent

Shifts the focus from quantity to degree or scope, suggesting that something exists or happens to the same degree.

an equal number

Highlights the numerical equality between two or more groups or sets.

an equal rate

Focuses on the equality of change or occurrence over time or in relation to something else.

an equal representation

Emphasizes that different groups or categories are represented in the same degree or amount.

an equitable proportion

Replaces "equal" with "equitable", suggesting that the proportion is not only equal but also fair and just.

a comparable proportion

Emphasizes similarity rather than strict equality, implying that the proportions are close but not necessarily identical.

a similar fraction

Focuses on the similarity of fractional parts, suggesting the proportions are alike.

a balanced ratio

Highlights the harmonious or proportionate relationship between different elements or quantities.

FAQs

How can I use "an equal proportion" in a sentence?

You can use "an equal proportion" to indicate that two or more groups or categories have the same relative amount or share of something. For example, "An equal proportion of students chose math and science".

What phrases are similar to "an equal proportion"?

Similar phrases include "an equal share", "an equal percentage", and "a balanced ratio", which all suggest a similar degree of equivalence.

Is it better to use "an equal proportion" or "the same proportion"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "an equal proportion" often implies a comparison between different groups or categories, while "the same proportion" may refer to a single group over time or under different conditions. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "an equal proportion" and "an equal amount"?

"An equal proportion" refers to relative quantities or ratios, while "an equal amount" refers to absolute quantities. For example, two different sized cakes can have an equal proportion of sugar (ratio), but not the same amount (quantity).