disproportionate share

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disproportionate share" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an unequal or imbalanced allocation of resources, responsibilities, or benefits. Example: "The study revealed that low-income families bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A disproportionate share of world trade is conducted in dollars.

The Economist

And Berkeley is responsible for a disproportionate share.

The Economist

Tennessee received a "disproportionate" share of the tainted medicine.

The New York Times - Health

Scotland already has a disproportionate share of cabinet ministers.

The Economist

Do they already get a disproportionate share of public spending?

The Economist

A disproportionate share of these nonreaders are boys.

The New York Times

The players get a disproportionate share of the money.

The New York Times - Sports

I just get a disproportionate share of voice, perhaps.

The Guardian

The working classes just do a disproportionate share.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, he still gets a disproportionate share of free media.

The Washington Post

Accumulative advantage in the research system may allow elite groups to secure a disproportionate share of resources.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, use "disproportionate share" to highlight inequalities or imbalances in data, statistics, or resource allocation. Support your claims with evidence and data.

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionate share" without clearly indicating the expected or baseline distribution. Ambiguity can weaken your argument. Always clarify what a proportional share would entail.

Linguistic Context

Disproportionate share functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It highlights that a particular entity receives an amount that is not in proportion to what is expected or fair. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to emphasize imbalances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disproportionate share" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an unequal distribution of resources, burdens, or benefits. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to highlight imbalances and often advocate for fairness. Related phrases include "unequal portion" and "imbalanced allocation". When using the phrase, clarity is crucial; be sure to establish the expected distribution to emphasize the imbalance effectively. The phrase’s prevalence across diverse sources underscores its versatility and importance in discussions of equity and fairness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unequal portion

Replaces "share" with "portion" to emphasize the quantity received, while "unequal" highlights the disparity.

imbalanced allocation

Focuses on the act of distributing resources in an uneven manner.

unfair distribution

Highlights the injustice or inequity of the distribution process.

undue proportion

Implies that something receives more than it deserves.

lopsided amount

Suggests a significant imbalance, where one side heavily outweighs the other.

disparate quantity

Emphasizes the difference in amounts received, highlighting the lack of equality.

skewed distribution

Highlights that the allocation is not normal or expected; there is a bias towards a specific group.

excessive fraction

Focuses on how the part taken is above the accepted threshold.

major segment

Highlights the larger percentage that belongs to one party compared to other.

bulk allocation

Implies the main part of something that is delivered to a specific group.

FAQs

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

Use "disproportionate share" to describe situations where something is not equally distributed, with one entity receiving more or less than expected. For example, "Low-income households bear a "disproportionate share" of the tax burden."

What's a more formal alternative to "disproportionate share"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "unequal portion" or "imbalanced allocation" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone. These alternatives, like "disproportionate share", describe situations where resources or burdens are not evenly distributed.

Is it always negative to have a "disproportionate share" of something?

While often used to highlight inequalities or negative impacts, having a "disproportionate share" isn't inherently negative. It simply indicates an unequal distribution. For instance, a company might have a "disproportionate share" of the market due to innovation.

How does "disproportionate share" differ from "proportional share"?

"Disproportionate share" indicates an unequal distribution, while "proportional share" implies that resources or burdens are distributed equitably based on some defined criteria. Understanding this distinction is crucial for clear communication.