is disproportionate to

USAGE SUMMARY

'is disproportionate to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is not in balance or proportion to something else. For example: "The amount of work she did on the project is disproportionate to the amount of money she was paid for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Anytime people hear 'radiation' it evokes a level of fear that is disproportionate to the threat".

The New York Times

In other words, their sense of loss is disproportionate to their gains under the new dispensation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The amount of time it's enjoyed is disproportionate to the amount of time spent".

The New York Times

But the suffering the offensive has unleashed is disproportionate to any results it has achieved.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pomp of the Jaipur festival is disproportionate to the size and the quality of Indian writing in English.

The New York Times

Mr Jones said his client resisted extradition because it is "disproportionate" to extradite someone under such circumstances.

Independent

"The size of the hidden profits relative to the loan amounts is disproportionate to any other negotiated fee," he says.

The New York Times

But we believe that this level of cuts is disproportionate to other savings being made by local authorities.

The Guardian - Books

If a homework assignment is unimportant, if a class is "a joke," if the impact of a test is disproportionate to its overall importance, then why not cheat?

The New York Times

"The pomp of the Jaipur festival is disproportionate to the size and the quality of Indian writing in English," Joseph writes.

The New York Times

As usual, the length of the living rooms is disproportionate to the width — in this case twenty-five by thirteen feet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is disproportionate to", ensure you clearly define both elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you are referring to size, impact, or quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "is disproportionate to" without a clear reference point. Ensure the reader understands what the subject is not proportionate to; otherwise, the statement lacks meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is disproportionate to" serves as a relational adjective phrase. It connects a subject with a characteristic that indicates a lack of expected or reasonable proportion compared to another element. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, providing many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is disproportionate to" is a versatile tool for expressing imbalances and lack of expected proportions between two things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "out of proportion to" or "not commensurate with" depending on the specific context. Overall, "is disproportionate to" is a valuable phrase for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of proportion to

Replaces 'disproportionate' with 'out of proportion', maintaining the core meaning of imbalance.

not commensurate with

Uses 'commensurate' to highlight the lack of corresponding size or degree.

unbalanced relative to

Emphasizes the lack of balance between two elements.

in excess of

Focuses on the idea that something is too much compared to something else.

not in line with

Suggests a deviation from an expected standard or ratio.

unduly large compared to

Highlights the excessive size of one thing in relation to another.

bears no relation to

Implies a complete lack of expected correlation or size relationship.

exceeds what is justified by

Indicates that something surpasses a reasonable limit based on something else.

greater than warranted by

Suggests that something is more significant than the situation merits.

does not reflect

Emphasizes the failure of one thing to accurately represent another.

FAQs

How do I use "is disproportionate to" in a sentence?

Use "is disproportionate to" when you want to express that something is out of balance or not in proportion with something else. For example, 'The amount of effort he put in "is disproportionate to" the results he achieved'.

What can I say instead of "is disproportionate to"?

You can use alternatives like "out of proportion to", "not commensurate with", or "unbalanced relative to" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to say something "is disproportionate to" something else?

While often used to highlight a negative imbalance, "is disproportionate to" can be neutral depending on context. The key is whether the imbalance is problematic or unexpected. For instance, you could say 'The cultural impact of the film "is disproportionate to" its budget,' without necessarily implying a problem.

What's the difference between "is disproportionate to" and "is asymmetrical to"?

"Is disproportionate to" indicates a lack of balance or expected ratio, often related to size or quantity. "Is asymmetrical to" focuses specifically on the lack of symmetry, where the two halves of something are not mirror images of each other. While related, they emphasize different aspects of imbalance.