lower proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lower proportion of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a smaller amount of something in comparison to a larger amount. For example, "The study found that the lower proportion of women in leadership roles is an ongoing issue for many companies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Broward County also had a lower proportion of flawed ballots.

The New York Times

Second, rich people give a lower proportion of their income than poor people.

The Guardian

Only Nevada has a lower proportion of native residents than Florida.

The New Yorker

Campaigners retorted that in India, a far lower proportion of such attacks is reported than elsewhere.

The Guardian

The UK has a lower proportion of people going to university than the US.

The Guardian

However, all three of these questions registered a lower proportion of positive responses than three years ago.

The Guardian

A far lower proportion of state taxes are considered negotiable, but the fact is that it still happens.

The Guardian

Many free schools have a lower proportion of children on free school meals or those that have special educational needs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, subsequent bones yielded a much lower proportion of Neanderthal DNA and a much higher percentage of microbial DNA.

The New Yorker

Helpfully the Taxpayers' Alliance calculates the top tenth pay a lower proportion of their income in tax at 35% than the bottom tenth who pay 47%.

The Guardian - Opinion

The big tax hike, VAT, hits the poor more than the rich, who spend a lower proportion of their income on VAT'd goods.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, ensure clarity by specifying what the "lower proportion of" refers to. For example, "The study showed a lower proportion of women than men in STEM fields".

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows what the proportion is being compared to. Always explicitly state the reference group or standard, otherwise the statement lacks context and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower proportion of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, adjective, or verb. It indicates that a particular group or quantity constitutes a smaller fraction or percentage of a whole. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lower proportion of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that one group or quantity represents a smaller fraction of a whole compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science, where precise comparisons are essential. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what the proportion is being compared to, avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "smaller percentage of" or "reduced amount of" can be used depending on the context. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing relative quantities and highlighting distinctions between datasets or groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller percentage of

Emphasizes a reduced numerical ratio out of one hundred.

lesser fraction of

Highlights a reduced part of a whole, often used in mathematical or quantitative contexts.

reduced quantity of

Focuses on a decreased amount in terms of volume or number.

diminished share of

Indicates a smaller portion or allotment compared to the total.

decreased incidence of

Specifically relates to a reduction in the rate of occurrence, often in medical or statistical contexts.

lower incidence of

Implies a reduced rate of something happening. Similar meaning, different construction.

reduced amount of

Focuses on a decreased numerical value or count.

smaller quantity of

Indicates a reduced measure or volume.

less prevalent among

Indicates a lower frequency within a specific group or population.

weaker representation of

Suggests a less significant presence or depiction.

FAQs

How can I use "lower proportion of" in a sentence?

You can use "lower proportion of" to compare the relative size of one group to another, such as "The study found a "lower proportion of" students achieving advanced scores this year".

What's a good alternative to "lower proportion of"?

Alternatives include "smaller percentage of", "lesser fraction of", or "reduced quantity of", depending on the specific context and the nature of what you're measuring.

Is it more accurate to say "lower proportion of" or "smaller amount of"?

While both can be correct, "lower proportion of" is best when referring to a part of a whole or a ratio, while "smaller amount of" is better for referring to absolute quantities. For example, "a "lower proportion of" the budget" vs. "a smaller amount of money".

How does the context affect the choice of "lower proportion of" versus other similar phrases?

The context dictates the most appropriate choice. Use "lower proportion of" when discussing relative sizes or rates, whereas alternatives like "reduced number of" or "smaller quantity of" are suitable for absolute counts.