not in proportion to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in proportion to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more elements do not have a balanced or corresponding relationship in size, amount, or degree. Example: "The amount of effort he put into the project was not in proportion to the recognition he received."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

From a statistical viewpoint, the number of deaths in a hospital is not in proportion to the size of the hospital, but is proportional to the square root of its size.

BMC Health Services Research

But some sections of him were not in proportion to others.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, the importance of Emwazi's death is not in proportion to the headlines it will inevitably generate.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "My comments are certainly not in proportion to the unfortunate and sad situation we have here.

The New York Times - Sports

Therefore although interlamellar elastin likely contributed to the stiffness in the fresh aorta, its contribution appeared not in proportion to its quantity.

Journal of Biomechanics

Even the maligned public services have improved, if not in proportion to expenditure on them as some Britons seem dimly to appreciate.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion.

The New Yorker

Therefore, he concluded, "it is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion".

Los Angeles Times

But the pardon office has not grown in proportion to the workload.

The New York Times

The potential rewards have not grown in proportion to the risks.

Harvard Business Review

However, system performance is not increased in proportion to the gate-count of the system.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not in proportion to", ensure that the two elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The effort invested was "not in proportion to" the results achieved."

Common error

Avoid using "not in proportion to" when a direct comparison or contrast is more appropriate. Saying "The reaction was excessive" is clearer than "The reaction was "not in proportion to" the event" if the issue is simply the reaction's intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in proportion to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a lack of expected or balanced relationship between two entities. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not in proportion to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a lack of balance or expected correlation between two elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. While alternatives like ""disproportionate to"" offer conciseness, "not in proportion to" provides clarity when a more detailed comparison is needed. Remember to clearly define the elements being compared for maximum impact and avoid using it when a direct statement is more efficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionate to

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective, making the sentence more concise.

out of balance with

Emphasizes the lack of equilibrium between two elements.

not commensurate with

Uses a more formal term to indicate a lack of suitable correspondence.

bears no relation to

Highlights the absence of a significant connection between two things.

not in alignment with

Suggests a lack of agreement or correspondence.

does not reflect

Focuses on the idea that one thing is not an accurate representation of another.

not justified by

Indicates that something is excessive or unwarranted based on something else.

not equivalent to

Expresses that two quantities or values are unequal.

unrelated to

Emphasizes the lack of a direct connection or dependency.

incommensurate with

A more formal synonym for 'not commensurate with', indicating a lack of proper proportion or scale.

FAQs

How can I use "not in proportion to" in a sentence?

Use "not in proportion to" to show that two things do not have a balanced or expected relationship, as in, "The severity of the punishment was "disproportionate to" the crime".

What are some alternatives to "not in proportion to"?

You can use alternatives like ""disproportionate to"", "out of balance with", or "not commensurate with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "disproportionate to" or "not in proportion to"?

Both are correct, but ""disproportionate to"" is more concise. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and sentence structure.

What does it mean when something is described as "not in proportion to" something else?

It means there is an imbalance or lack of expected correlation between the two things being compared. It suggests that one is excessive or insufficient relative to the other.