by the same proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the same proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a relationship or comparison between quantities that change in a consistent ratio. Example: "If the price of the product increases, the demand will decrease by the same proportion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He initially asked the agencies to reduce costs by the same proportion, but in the end, some were forced to cut more than others.

The New York Times

But Mr. Romney's new tax plan, unveiled Wednesday, does just that; it promises to cut all six current tax brackets by the same proportion of 20 percent.

The New York Times

However, talks recently broke down, apparently because IBM sought a higher price than Lenovo was willing to pay.Of the top five vendors, only Dell enjoyed an increase in sales, of 14.4% according to Gartner; HP drooped by the same proportion.

The Economist

The decibels peaked in 2007 when Parliament voted to renew the ageing submarines.Reducing the size of the fleet by a quarter will not cut the bill by the same proportion.

The Economist

In fact, the rental rate on capital — the amount someone who is trying to lease the use of capital to one of those monopolists receives — actually falls, by the same proportion as the real wage rate.

The New York Times

That may seem like a strange choice, and Mr. Inker concedes that it is counterintuitive, but refiners often are unable to keep their profit margins up when crude prices rise because they cannot raise the prices of their finished products, like gasoline, by the same proportion.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney's top economic adviser, Glenn Hubbard, said the plan would cut all six current tax brackets - 10 percent, 15 percent, 25 percent, 28 percent, 33 percent, 35 percent, depending on a taxpayer's income - by the same proportion of 20 percent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The population nearly doubled by 1976, with expenditure per head increasing by roughly the same proportion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These savings have, however, been more than offset by people thinking up new ways to use energy, so that in that same period the country's total energy consumption has risen by thirty-nine per cent and its CO? emissions by roughly the same proportion.

The New Yorker

Yao leads Shaq in Asian voting, but he also leads him in North America by roughly the same proportion.

The New York Times - Sports

Around 20% of the world's 380,000 plant species are now thought to be threatened by extinction, the same proportion as for mammals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by the same proportion", ensure that it is clear what two quantities are changing in relation to each other. Ambiguity can arise if the reference points are unclear.

Common error

A common error is assuming that changes "by the same proportion" imply the same absolute change. Remember that the actual change depends on the base value; a 10% increase on a large number is much greater than a 10% increase on a small number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the same proportion" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the degree or manner in which something changes relative to something else. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, highlighting its role in comparisons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the same proportion" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that two or more quantities change at a consistent ratio. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts. While neutrally formal, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding the quantities being compared and the base values from which changes are calculated. Alternatives like "in equal measure" or "proportionately" can be used for variety. Be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation if base values are not clearly understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the same ratio

Focuses on the mathematical equivalence of the relationship.

in equal measure

This alternative emphasizes that both quantities involved are affected similarly.

at a corresponding rate

Highlights the synchronized pace of change between two or more variables.

in direct relation

Focuses on the immediate, linked effect of changes.

proportionately

This single word replace the whole phrase using one word to convey the same meaning. It's more concise.

commensurately

Implies a precise, tailored adjustment relating one thing to another.

to the same degree

Emphasizes that variables are altered identically in terms of effect.

at an equivalent level

Highlights a degree or stage comparison, applicable when assessing quantities.

uniformly

Stresses consistency across a group or range affected.

in a balanced manner

Suggests fairness and equilibrium in how changes are distributed or applied.

FAQs

How do I use "by the same proportion" in a sentence?

Use "by the same proportion" to indicate that two or more quantities change at the same relative rate. For example: "If sales increase by 20%, we expect marketing expenses to increase "by the same proportion"".

What phrases can I use instead of "by the same proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "in equal measure", "in the same ratio", or "proportionately" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "increased by the same proportion as"?

Yes, it's correct. For example: "The cost of materials increased by the same proportion as the demand for the product."

What is the difference between "by the same proportion" and "by the same percentage"?

"By the same proportion" is more general and can apply to any ratio, while "by the same percentage" specifically refers to changes expressed as a percentage. Often, they are interchangeable, but "by the same proportion" is conceptually broader.