around a proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a proportion" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing ratios or comparisons, but it would need clarification for proper understanding. Example: "The results varied around a proportion of 60% in favor of the new policy."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Exact binomial method around a proportion was used to test for change in incidence.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Assuming a response rate of 50%, a sample size of 300 would give 95% confidence intervals around a proportion of 50% from 44%to56%6%.

BMC Public Health

This would give precision (95% CI) around a proportion of 80% of 70% 88% and a proportion of 80% that would be detected as different from 95%80%0% power, 5% significance).

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Over a quarter of its candidates are new this time around; a similar proportion were new at the previous election, in 2001.Sinapan Samydorai of the Think Centre, a group promoting political openness, says the PAP is also expert in co-opting any bright spark who might otherwise become a critic.

The Economist

There are thousands of unique MMR DNA variants, although a proportion of these (around 11%) are not pathogenic or likely not pathogenic and a proportion (around 32%) have unknown significance (i.e., could be pathogenic but not confirmed) [ 2].

BMC Cancer

At a time when a skilled or semi-skilled working man earned maybe 30 shillings a week, the rent – and until the later 20th century, these houses were all rented – would be around 5s: less, as a proportion of income, than many people pay today.

The Guardian

Vitamin supplements rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid in a proportion of around 1000 mcg of B12 and 5 mcg of folic acid are sufficient for optimal functioning each day.

WikiHow

If you hang around long enough, eventually a proportion of the Great British public will hold you in esteem".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The online journal era, dating from around 1996 onwards, has allowed a proportion of the visual and numerical data components to increasingly separate into what is often referred to as supporting information (SI or ESI for electronic forms) or other synonyms.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Large-seeded species typical of old-growth forests, on the other hand, accounted for only 5 8% of the species recorded in the seed rain, a proportion around five times smaller than that reported for the old-growth forests of the same study site (31%).

Acta Oecologica

Epidermal PAX3-positive melanocytes, like follicular cells, exhibit a variable differentiation status; the majority show a more mature phenotype, but a proportion (around 20%) show a less differentiated and proliferative phenotype.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a proportion", ensure the context clearly indicates an approximation or range, not an exact value. For example, use it when presenting confidence intervals or estimated values.

Common error

Avoid using "around a proportion" when precise figures are available or required. This phrase suggests estimation, which can undermine credibility if accuracy is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a proportion" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. It indicates an approximation or estimation relating to a fraction, percentage, or ratio. This is supported by Ludwig, which presents examples primarily in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around a proportion" is a less common way to express an approximate quantity, with examples found in scientific, news, and general contexts, according to Ludwig. While grammatically correct, it is less precise than alternatives like "approximately a percentage". Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase functions as a prepositional modifier, used to convey an estimated amount when accuracy is not paramount. Therefore, while acceptable, writers should consider whether a more common or precise alternative would be more appropriate for their specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately a ratio

Replaces "proportion" with "ratio", emphasizing a quantitative relationship.

in the vicinity of a fraction

Uses "vicinity" to indicate nearness and "fraction" as a part of a whole.

close to a percentage

Substitutes "proportion" with "percentage", stressing a value out of 100.

in the neighborhood of a share

Emphasizes an estimated quantity or portion, using "neighborhood".

roughly a rate

Indicates an imprecise measure, swapping "proportion" for "rate".

something like a division

Expresses approximation with the more generic term "division".

about a quota

Implies a fixed part or share, using a less formal term.

nearly a segment

Expresses nearness to a division, using "segment" to indicate a part.

virtually a distribution

Indicates a near equivalence to a distribution or spread.

practically a portion

Expresses that something is very close to a particular portion.

FAQs

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

You can use "around a proportion" to indicate an approximate amount or percentage. For example, "Around a proportion of 20% of the students failed the exam."

What does "around a proportion" mean?

"Around a proportion" signifies an estimation or approximation related to a fraction, percentage, or ratio, suggesting it's not an exact figure.

Which is a better alternative, "approximately a percentage" or "around a proportion"?

The best choice depends on the desired level of formality. "Around a proportion" is less formal, while "approximately a percentage" may be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is "around a proportion" grammatically correct?

Yes, "around a proportion" is grammatically sound, but it is not the most common or precise way to express an approximation. It's more common to say "approximately X percent" or "a proportion of around X percent".