in direct proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in direct proportion" is correctly used in written English and is usually used to describe a situation in which the relationship between two variables is proportional.
For example, "As the temperature increases, energy output increases in direct proportion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Theft was rising in direct proportion to unemployment.

The New Yorker

The plays' sweeping power exists in direct proportion to the performers' extreme attention to detail.

The New York Times

And the gruesomeness of their deaths was in direct proportion to how loved those characters were.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is no sliding scale of moral outrage, increasing in direct proportion to human suffering.

The Guardian - Arts

Trouble, in direct proportion to his talent, follows him round like a magnet.

The Guardian - Sport

The effect is vexing in direct proportion to the quality of the afflicted paintings.

The New Yorker

The insensitivity of this intrusion is in direct proportion to the trauma that it causes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The level of success coming his way seems in direct proportion to his fierce work ethic.

The Guardian

He did not test for PAH, which studies show varies in direct proportion to particulates.

The New York Times

Each year the rules became sillier, in direct proportion to the commissioner's happy descent into family life.

The New York Times

The comedy in his remarks is in direct proportion to the zealotry with which politicians' blandness is policed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in direct proportion", ensure that the relationship between the two quantities is truly proportional, meaning that their ratio remains constant.

Common error

Avoid using "in direct proportion" when you simply mean there's a positive correlation. Proportionality implies a specific mathematical relationship, not just a general trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in direct proportion" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a relationship where two quantities increase or decrease together at a constant rate. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples illustrating this proportional relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in direct proportion" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a relationship between two quantities where one increases or decreases at a constant rate relative to the other. Ludwig AI analysis, based on a large number of real-world examples, confirms its prevalence across diverse fields such as news, science, and general discourse. When using it, ensure that the relationship is truly proportional and not just a general correlation. Alternatives like "directly proportional to" can offer more concise phrasing, depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directly proportional to

Slightly more concise, omitting the preposition "in".

in a proportional relationship

Rephrases to emphasize the existence of a proportional relationship.

increases correspondingly with

Focuses on the increasing aspect of the relationship.

changes proportionally with

Highlights the change aspect of the relationship.

scales linearly with

More specific, implying a linear relationship.

varies linearly with

Similar to 'scales linearly with', but slightly less technical.

rises in tandem with

Emphasizes the simultaneous increase of both quantities.

is directly related to

More general, indicating a positive correlation but not necessarily proportional.

shows a direct correlation with

Indicates a connection where one increases with the other.

is commensurate with

More formal, implying that one thing is properly related or equivalent to another.

FAQs

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

You can use "in direct proportion" to describe a relationship where an increase in one quantity results in a corresponding increase in another. For example, "The cost of the project increased "in direct proportion" to the amount of materials needed."

What phrases are similar to "in direct proportion"?

Alternatives include "directly proportional to", "increases correspondingly with", or "scales linearly with", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in direct proportionality" instead of "in direct proportion"?

While related, "proportionality" refers to the state or fact of being proportional. The phrase "in direct proportion" is more commonly used to describe the specific relationship.

What is the difference between a direct proportion and a direct correlation?

A direct proportion implies a specific mathematical relationship where the ratio between two quantities remains constant. A direct correlation simply means that as one quantity increases, the other tends to increase as well, but not necessarily at a constant rate.