are disproportionate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are disproportionate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more elements are not in proportion to each other, often implying an imbalance or inequality. Example: "The resources allocated to the project are disproportionate to the actual needs of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, some achievements are disproportionate.

The New York Times - Arts

"The gains are disproportionate".

The Guardian - Sport

The president's fears are disproportionate.

The Guardian

The gains are disproportionate," Kerrison said in 2013.

The Guardian - Sport

Business heads' rewards are disproportionate to their workforce.

The Guardian - Business

"He thinks that the public reactions are disproportionate.

The New Yorker

Sleeping hours are disproportionate across the socioeconomic spectrum as well.

The New York Times

While the districts are theoretically equivalent in raw population, they are disproportionate in make-up.

The Guardian - Opinion

These gray-haired hedonists are disproportionate consumers of saltwater fishing tours.

The New York Times - Magazine

[EU-wide] measures against any product are disproportionate," he told the European parliament.

The Guardian

Violence and destruction, on the other hand, are disproportionate reactions, he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are disproportionate", ensure the context clearly indicates what two or more elements are being compared and how they lack proper proportion. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is failing to specify the basis for comparison when using "are disproportionate". Always clarify what exactly is being measured against what. For instance, avoid saying "The efforts are disproportionate" without specifying "...to the results expected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are disproportionate" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a lack of proper proportion or balance. Ludwig examples show it commonly describes resources, reactions, or statistics that do not align with expectations or related factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are disproportionate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that acts as a predicate adjective to indicate a lack of proper balance or proportion between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent appearance in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being compared and the basis for the perceived imbalance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are imbalanced

Uses a different adjective to describe the lack of balance or proportion.

are unequal

Focuses on the inequality or disparity between elements.

are out of proportion

A more literal rephrasing emphasizing the lack of proper scaling.

are not commensurate

A more formal alternative indicating that the elements are not corresponding in degree or magnitude.

do not align

Suggests a misalignment or lack of agreement in scale or importance.

are skewed

Implies that the distribution or balance is distorted in a particular direction.

are lopsided

Suggests an imbalance where one side is significantly larger or more important than the other.

lack equilibrium

Highlights the absence of a stable or balanced state.

are asymmetric

Indicates a lack of symmetry or balance in the distribution or arrangement.

are off-balance

A more direct way of stating that things are not in equilibrium.

FAQs

How can I use "are disproportionate" in a sentence?

Use "are disproportionate" to describe when the size or amount of something is too large or too small in relation to something else. For example, "The resources allocated "are disproportionate" to the needs of the project".

What can I say instead of "are disproportionate"?

You can use alternatives like "are unequal", "are imbalanced", or "are out of proportion" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is disproportionate" or should I always use "are disproportionate"?

Use "is disproportionate" with singular nouns (e.g. "His response is disproportionate to the offense"). Use "are disproportionate" with plural nouns or noun phrases (e.g. "The resources are disproportionate to the need").

What's the difference between "are disproportionate" and "are excessive"?

"Are disproportionate" implies an imbalance between two things, whereas "are excessive" simply means something is too much in quantity or degree. For example, "The penalties "are disproportionate" to the crime" (implying an imbalance), while "The penalties are excessive" (implying they are too severe in general).