as a proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relationship between two quantities, often in terms of their relative sizes or amounts. Example: "The number of students who passed the exam increased as a proportion of the total number of students enrolled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then it measures their reliability as a proportion of this.

The New York Times

Or as a proportion of a country's total indigenous population.

The Guardian

Tuition as a proportion of income has risen.

The New York Times

Exports have fallen as a proportion of GDP for decades.

The Guardian

These are levied as a proportion of wages.

The Economist

Spending as a proportion of GDP is steady.

The Economist

This is insignificant as a proportion of the total population.

The Economist

Public investment as a proportion of GDP has been declining.

The Economist

Household consumption as a proportion of GDP fell sharply.

The Economist

In stark contrast, the government is vowing to reduce government spending as a proportion of GDP and not to raise tax as a proportion of GDP.

The Guardian

However, as a proportion of population Sweden took in the most.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a proportion", ensure clarity by specifying the total or reference value against which the proportion is being measured. For example, instead of saying "sales increased as a proportion", clarify with "sales increased as a proportion of total revenue".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining what the proportion is relative to. Vague statements like "crime is increasing as a proportion" should be revised to "crime is increasing as a proportion of reported incidents" to provide context and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a proportion" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating a relative amount or ratio. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in expressing the relationship between two quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a proportion" is a versatile phrase used to express the relative size or amount of one thing in relation to another. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered, particularly in news, science, and business contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify the base value or total when using this phrase. By understanding its function and following best practices, you can effectively use "as a proportion" to convey precise and meaningful comparisons in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in proportion to

This alternative directly indicates a relationship where one quantity changes in relation to another.

relative to

This phrase emphasizes the comparison of one thing to another, highlighting their relationship.

compared to

This option focuses on direct comparison, quantifying one item's size concerning another.

as a percentage of

This alternative specifically expresses the proportion in terms of percentage.

in terms of

This option introduces a specific perspective for expressing the relationship.

in relation to

This option describes how one thing connects or correlates with another.

as a fraction of

This phrase highlights the proportional relation using fractional representation.

by ratio of

This construction focuses on expressing a direct ratio between two quantities.

on a scale of

This option indicates a comparison based on a defined measurement system or gradient.

as a share of

This option illustrates how something is divided among different entities.

FAQs

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

Use "as a proportion" to show how one quantity relates to another, usually a total. For example, "The cost of advertising is minimal "as a proportion" of the overall budget".

What's a simple way to rephrase "as a proportion"?

Alternatives include "relative to", "compared to", or "as a percentage of", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "as a proportion" or "as a percentage"?

While both are correct, "as a percentage" is more specific when you're dealing with percentages. "As a proportion" is more general and can refer to any fractional relationship, not just those expressed as percentages. For example, "on-demand TV will increase "as a proportion" of the time-shifted total".

What does "as a proportion of GDP" mean?

"As a proportion of GDP" means that a particular economic activity, such as spending or debt, is being measured in relation to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the total value of goods and services produced. Example, "public spending "as a proportion" of GDP will be 42%".