low proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

"low proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a quantity that is smaller than the average or expected amount. For example, "The new sales figures show a low proportion of sales coming from foreign markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Low proportion of Barrett's esophagus in Asian Americans.

Harvard University

Concern about the low proportion of women and those from minority ethnic backgrounds is widespread.

The Guardian

Other studies suggest that a relatively low proportion of men frequent sex workers.

The New York Times

Inspectors noted the low proportion of pupils who take up free meals.

The Guardian

Women still represent a low proportion of the workforce, but the numbers are growing.

The Guardian

This is a low proportion of its budget, but a large amount of money in real terms.

The Guardian

Yale is spending about 3.8percentt of the endowment this year, a relatively low proportion among elite universities.

The New York Times

The low proportion of total book sales belies the discounters' growing dominance in sales of best sellers.

The New York Times

Garrison says that the low proportion of women with book deals is not always the fault of the publishers.

The Guardian - Books

A very low proportion of total bacteria was actively respiring (ca. 16%).

Bioresource Technology

Residual n-alkanes were mostly from natural sources with relatively low proportion of petrogenic input.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "low proportion", clearly define what the proportion is relative to. This provides context and avoids ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "a low proportion of students", specify "a low proportion of students passed the exam".

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "low proportion" automatically implies a lack of importance. Even small proportions can be significant depending on the context. For instance, a "low proportion" of severe side effects from a medication can still be clinically relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low proportion" functions as a pre-modifier followed by a noun. It typically modifies another noun, specifying that the quantity or amount represented by that noun is small relative to a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "low proportion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a small quantity or percentage in relation to a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used across various domains, especially in science, news, and academic writing. While it maintains a neutral to formal register, its precise meaning and common usage make it an effective tool for communicating quantitative information. Remember to provide context to the "low proportion" to avoid ambiguity and consider its significance based on the situation. Alternatives like "small percentage" or "limited quantity" might be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small percentage

Emphasizes the numerical aspect, specifically referring to a small part out of a hundred.

limited quantity

Focuses on the restricted amount or number of something available.

reduced amount

Highlights a decrease in the quantity or measure of something.

minimal share

Indicates a very small part or allocation of something.

scarce fraction

Suggests that only a small, hard-to-find part is available.

modest portion

Implies a humble or restrained amount of something.

inadequate ratio

Highlights that the relationship between two quantities is insufficient.

insufficient quota

Implies that the established limit or target is not enough.

negligible segment

Indicates that the portion is so small it can be ignored.

tiny degree

Focuses on the extent or level being very small.

FAQs

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

You can use "low proportion" to describe a small quantity or percentage relative to a whole. For example, "A "low proportion" of the budget was allocated to marketing."

What are some alternatives to "low proportion"?

Alternatives include "small percentage", "limited quantity", or "reduced amount". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "low proportion" or "small amount"?

"Low proportion" is generally more formal and technical than "small amount", which is more common in everyday language. The choice depends on the intended audience and context.

What does it mean when something has a "low proportion"?

It means that the thing being measured constitutes a small part of the whole or a small percentage compared to what is expected or typical. It highlights that the quantity is relatively small.