for a substantial proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a substantial proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant part or percentage of a whole in various contexts, such as research, statistics, or general observations. Example: "For a substantial proportion of the population, access to clean water remains a critical issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nepal relies heavily on India for a substantial proportion of its imports.

The Guardian

Services account for a substantial proportion of the gross domestic product.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For a substantial proportion of millennials, the right to free speech ends where the right to not be offended begins.

The Washington Post

Gove's changes stripped out assessed work that had accounted for a substantial proportion of marks towards the final grades.

The Guardian

Duffy, D. L. et al. Multiple pigmentation gene polymorphisms account for a substantial proportion of risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Nature

The cement industry plays a crucial role in emissions reduction because it accounts for a substantial proportion of global emissions.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

It highlights how, for a substantial proportion of the population, simply meeting essential living costs is becoming increasingly unaffordable".

Independent

The move follows the new government's abolition of plans for national identity cards and fingerprints on passports, which have accounted for a substantial proportion of the agency's work.

The Guardian

And regarding the relatively small percentage of individuals who do become addicted, co-occurring psychiatric disorders and socioeconomic factors account for a substantial proportion of these addictions.

Nature

In conclusion, perioperative MI was relatively common, was associated with worse outcomes, and mechanisms other than vein graft failure accounted for a substantial proportion of these MIs.

The American Journal of Cardiology

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (EF) accounts for a substantial proportion of cases of HF, and to date no treatments have clearly improved outcome.

Journal of Cardiac Failure

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a substantial proportion", ensure that the context clearly defines the total amount or population being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a substantial proportion of the budget" or "a substantial proportion of the participants".

Common error

Avoid using "for a substantial proportion" without providing any quantitative data or context. Saying "a substantial proportion of users" is unhelpful without indicating what percentage or number constitutes 'substantial'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a substantial proportion" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that a significant part or percentage is being considered. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a substantial proportion" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a significant part or percentage of a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, predominantly in science, news, and formal business settings. While alternative phrases like "for a significant portion" or "for a considerable fraction" exist, the key is to provide clear context to avoid vague quantification. It's a common expression, well-supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a significant portion

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", offering a similar meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

for a considerable fraction

Uses "considerable" and "fraction" to convey a notable part of the whole.

for a large segment

Employs "large" and "segment" to suggest a sizable section or group.

for a good percentage

Substitutes "substantial" with "good" and uses "percentage" to refer to a proportion.

for a major share

Replaces "proportion" with "share", highlighting a significant allocation or part.

for a notable amount

Uses "notable" and "amount" to emphasize a considerable quantity.

for a sizable chunk

Employs "sizable" and "chunk" to indicate a significant piece or portion.

for a respectable quantity

Replaces "substantial proportion" with "respectable quantity", focusing on a considerable amount.

for a hefty piece

Uses "hefty piece" to convey a significant portion or segment.

for a dominant segment

Employs "dominant" to suggest that the segment or portion is the major part.

FAQs

How can I use "for a substantial proportion" in a sentence?

The phrase "for a substantial proportion" is used to indicate that a significant part of a whole is being referred to. Example: "For a substantial proportion of the population, access to healthcare is still a challenge."

What are some alternatives to "for a substantial proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "for a significant portion", "for a considerable fraction", or "for a large segment" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "significant" or "substantial" proportion?

Both "significant" and "substantial" can be used to describe a proportion, but "substantial" often implies that the proportion is quite large and important. "Significant" is a more general term. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What does "for a substantial proportion" imply about the rest of the whole?

When you say "for a substantial proportion", you imply that there is a remaining portion, and that the initial portion is large enough to be worth noting, while not necessarily being the majority. If the majority is intended, it is better to use "for a majority".