is proportional to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is proportional to" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it to describe two different things that have a direct relation to each other that changes in the same proportion. For example: "The amount of ice cream consumed is proportional to the temperature outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is proportional to the rib cage.

The New Yorker

It is proportional to this vector field.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The symbol size is proportional to magnitude.

Columbia University

The word gag fits, is proportional to, the act.

The New Yorker

The size of the nodes is proportional to the degree.

Nature

The pitch of any pipe is proportional to its length.

Britannica

The peak current (Ip) is proportional to concentration.

Britannica

For relatively small stresses, stress is proportional to strain.

Britannica

Third-down success is proportional to national success, too.

The Washington Post

so the single-frame displacement is proportional to 1−R.

Nature

It is proportional to the flow velocity.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is proportional to", ensure that the relationship between the two quantities is indeed a direct proportion, where a change in one quantity results in a consistent, predictable change in the other.

Common error

Avoid using "is proportional to" when there's only a correlation between two variables. Proportionality implies a specific mathematical relationship, not just a general association.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is proportional to" functions as a relational expression, indicating a direct mathematical relationship between two quantities or variables. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various scientific and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

Academia

16%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is proportional to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a direct mathematical relationship between two quantities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across diverse fields such as science, academia, and news media. Its primary function is to establish a clear, quantifiable connection, indicating that a change in one quantity results in a consistent, predictable change in the other. While it is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that there is a real direct proportional relationship and not just a correlation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in direct proportion to

A more formal way of saying 'is proportional to'.

is directly related to

Indicates a direct relationship, but doesn't necessarily imply a strict proportionality.

varies directly with

Similar to 'is proportional to' but emphasizes the variation between quantities.

is correlated with

Suggests a statistical relationship, but not necessarily a direct proportionality.

is a function of

Indicates a mathematical relationship, where one variable's value is determined by another.

is dependent on

Highlights the dependency of one variable on another, without specifying the exact relationship.

is tied to

Implies a close connection, but not necessarily a mathematical proportionality.

is associated with

Suggests a connection, but not necessarily a causal or proportional relationship.

is in line with

Indicates agreement or consistency, rather than a strict mathematical relationship.

is consistent with

Similar to 'is in line with', suggesting agreement or lack of contradiction.

FAQs

How can I use "is proportional to" in a sentence?

Use "is proportional to" to describe a direct mathematical relationship between two quantities. For example, "The force applied is proportional to the acceleration produced."

What's a more formal alternative to "is proportional to"?

A more formal alternative is "is in direct proportion to", which emphasizes the direct mathematical relationship.

Is it correct to say "is proportional with" instead of "is proportional to"?

No, the correct phrasing is "is proportional to". The preposition "with" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

How does "is proportional to" differ from "is correlated with"?

"Is proportional to" implies a direct mathematical relationship where one quantity changes in direct relation to another. "Is correlated with" simply suggests a statistical association, not necessarily a direct proportional relationship.