disproportionate role

USAGE SUMMARY

"disproportionate role" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone's or something's influence or contribution is greater or lesser than what is considered fair or appropriate. For example, "The committee's decisions were heavily influenced by a few members who held a disproportionate role." Alternative expressions include "unequal role" and "excessive role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Why has LetsRun played a disproportionate role in current events?

The New Yorker

Foreign investors are still playing a disproportionate role.

The Economist

Cities often play a disproportionate role in the national economy.

The Economist

And as with oil demand, China plays a disproportionate role in emissions growth.

The New York Times

U.P., as it's known, plays a disproportionate role in Indian politics.

The New Yorker

Third, manufacturing matters because of its substantial and disproportionate role in innovation.

The New York Times

Over the years, vegetarians and vegans have played a disproportionate role in conversations about ethics and food.

The New York Times

In the latest development, Rupert Murdoch's "fair and balanced" TV channel has been accused by Trump's Republican rival, Ted Cruz, of playing a disproportionate role in his rise.

The Guardian

The Irish too played a disproportionate role in enforcing British rule, supplying a huge proportion of the officers and men of the British army.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Or, as Marty often described his role, "A disproportionate part of my professional life has been devoted to protecting the deservedly rich from the predations of the poor and downtrodden".

The New Yorker

They have a disproportionate ecological role in the landscape considering their narrow extent, which makes them a good example of small natural features (sensu Hunter, 2017-inthisissue).

Biological Conservation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disproportionate role", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the expected or fair proportion should be. This helps to underscore the imbalance you are highlighting.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "disproportionate role" is inherently negative. Sometimes, a larger contribution from a specific source is justified or necessary for achieving a desired outcome. Clearly articulate whether the disproportion is problematic and why.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disproportionate role" functions as a noun phrase, where 'disproportionate' modifies the noun 'role'. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe situations where something has more influence or importance than expected or considered fair.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disproportionate role" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations where something exerts an influence or has a significance that is out of balance with what is expected or considered fair. Ludwig AI examples show its frequent use in contexts such as news, science and encyclopedias. While often used to highlight negative imbalances, it's important to consider whether the disproportion is justified or necessary within the given context. Alternative phrases such as "unequal influence" or "excessive impact" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unequal influence

Focuses on the imbalance of power or sway someone or something holds.

excessive impact

Highlights that the effect is beyond what is considered reasonable or normal.

undue significance

Emphasizes that something is given more importance than it deserves.

skewed importance

Indicates that the relevance is distorted or not properly aligned.

lopsided effect

Illustrates an imbalance in the consequences or results produced.

unbalanced contribution

Suggests that the input or effort is not fairly distributed.

disparate impact

Indicates that the consequences or results are markedly dissimilar or unequal.

asymmetrical influence

Highlights the lack of symmetry in the degree of sway or power.

overstated importance

Indicates that significance or relevance has been exaggerated.

exaggerated impact

Emphasizes that the effect is amplified beyond what is factual or justified.

FAQs

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

You can use "disproportionate role" to describe situations where something has more influence than it should. For example, "Technology plays a "disproportionate role" in modern elections."

What's a good alternative to "disproportionate role"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "unequal influence", "excessive impact", or "undue significance".

Is "disproportionate role" always negative?

Not necessarily. While it often implies an imbalance that might be unfair or undesirable, the term simply indicates that the level of influence isn't proportional to something else. Whether that's good or bad depends on the specific situation.

What is the difference between "disproportionate role" and "significant role"?

"Significant role" simply means that something is important. "Disproportionate role" means it has an influence that is out of balance with what is expected or fair. Therefore, a "significant role" might be perfectly appropriate, while a "disproportionate role" often suggests an imbalance that warrants closer examination.