in proportion to the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in proportion to the amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a relationship or comparison between two quantities, indicating that one quantity increases or decreases relative to another. Example: "The funding for the project will be allocated in proportion to the amount of work completed by each team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The soft squares are hardened in proportion to the amount of light that penetrates the varying grays of the positive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It also has to pay the costs of regulation, in proportion to the amount of water that it extracts.

The New York Times

Previously, the legal cost to the plaintiff was in proportion to the amount claimed, making most suits prohibitively expensive.

The Economist

With time each would then develop additional daughter abundances in proportion to the amount of parent present.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The money is being distributed in proportion to the amount airlines have paid for security since February 2002, the agency said.

The New York Times

If this were the whole effect of a deflationary policy, it would improve the external balance only in proportion to the amount by which it increases unemployment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About 1886 he discovered that the freezing point of an aqueous solution is lowered in proportion to the amount of a nonelectrolytic substance dissolved.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Removal of portions of the tarsus reduces the responses about in proportion to the amount removed; immobilization of the tarsus greatly impairs the sensitivity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Isay said that if the Mehiel and McCall campaigns were to share salaries and consulting fees, they would be required to divide each expense in proportion to the amount of time each person spent on each campaign.

The New York Times

New York is the only state that aggressively enforces its tax code this way; most states use a "physical presence" test that lets workers pay taxes in proportion to the amount of time spent working in each state.

The New York Times

When a sensor in the mirror detects a bright light, it sends voltage to the gel in proportion to the amount of glare, and the mirror darkens as much as needed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in proportion to the amount" when you want to clearly express a direct relationship between two quantities, where a change in one quantity results in a predictable change in the other.

Common error

Avoid using "in proportion to the amount" when you only observe a correlation between two variables, but lack evidence of a direct, causal relationship where one directly influences the other. Correlation does not equal proportionality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in proportion to the amount" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating that something changes or is distributed according to the quantity of something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in proportion to the amount" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a direct, scalable relationship between two quantities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across varied domains, from scientific literature to news reporting. The analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in science and news contexts, conveying a neutral register suitable for formal and informal communication. Related phrases, like "relative to the quantity" or "proportional to the quantity", provide alternative ways to express similar relationships, while the best writing practice involves ensuring that you’re using it to describe true proportionality and not mere correlation. In essence, "in proportion to the amount" serves as a precise and widely understood tool for articulating quantifiable dependencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relative to the quantity

Focuses on the comparative relationship between quantities, rather than the specific measurement.

corresponding to the quantity

Highlights a direct and matching relationship between the two quantities.

proportional to the quantity

Emphasizes the mathematical relationship of proportionality.

in relation to the amount

General way to describe that something varies depending on the amount.

as a function of the amount

Suggests a more formal or mathematical relationship where one quantity is determined by the other.

dependent on the amount

Highlights the reliance of one factor on the quantity of another.

scaled to the amount

Suggests adjustment or calibration based on the quantity present.

commensurate with the amount

Implies that the scale or size is appropriate for the quantity in question.

equal to a fraction of the amount

Refers to a very precise mathematical relationship.

to the degree of the amount

Indicates the relationship is graded and corresponds with the size of the amount.

FAQs

How can I use "in proportion to the amount" in a sentence?

Use "in proportion to the amount" to show a direct relationship between two quantities. For example: "The reward will be distributed "relative to the quantity" of work completed by each team member."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in proportion to the amount"?

Alternatives include phrases like "corresponding to the quantity", "proportional to the quantity", or "in relation to the amount". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more correct to say "in proportion to the amount" or "proportional to the amount"?

Both "in proportion to the amount" and "proportional to the amount" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, but "in proportion to the amount" may provide slightly more emphasis on the amount itself.

What's the difference between "in proportion to the amount" and "in addition to the amount"?

"In proportion to the amount" indicates a scaling relationship, where one thing increases as another increases. "In addition to the amount", on the other hand, means something is being added to a pre-existing quantity, without necessarily a proportional relationship.