on what proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ratio or fraction of something in relation to a whole, often in analytical or statistical contexts. Example: "The study focused on what proportion of the population was affected by the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The state distributes the $847 million to the hospitals each year based on what proportion of their bills go unpaid.

The New York Times

ML: But those incentives would be the same, depending on what proportion of your salary the bonus was.

The Guardian - Opinion

For instance, planners will focus on what proportion of your portfolio should be in large company stocks, foreign stocks, bonds, real estate, cash, etc.

The New York Times

In particular, the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules on what proportion of a company's hydrocarbon holdings can be booked as "proven" are arbitrary and overly restrictive.

The Economist

The Department for Energy issued a statement saying that its policy was to have targets in the future for renewable energy and that no decision has been made on what proportion of that energy will come from different sources.

The Guardian

But they declined to comment on what proportion of the stockpiles he said had been destroyed early on or why the intelligence agencies did not know of the stockpile destruction.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It was sworn that, so far as percentages of the reported sales were used, they were used on an estimate of what proportion actual values would bear to the sums named in the deeds.

Cornell University

Q. Jesse, do you have a sense at this point in your career of what proportion of it you'd like to be on screen and what proportion in the theater?

The New York Times

Studies like that conducted for Barcelona go well beyond the traditional totting up of how many shots were on target and for what proportion of the game each side had possession of the ball.

BBC

"We have no baseline data on how much ivory is in the market, how much is on sale, what proportion is mammoth, whale, hippo and bone.

The Economist

Average engagement: On average, what proportion of your video do viewers watch?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on what proportion", ensure the context clearly defines the total or whole to which the proportion refers. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "on what proportion" when discussing absolute numbers or quantities. The phrase is meant to address relative amounts, not standalone figures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what proportion" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a question about a relative amount. This construction is typically used to inquire about the size or extent of a part in relation to a whole, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

48%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on what proportion" is a grammatically correct way to inquire about the relative amount or share of something. While Ludwig AI identifies it as usable, it's considered an uncommon phrase, primarily appearing in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context provides a clear reference for the total quantity to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "regarding the percentage" or "concerning the ratio" may offer more common phrasing. The expert rating affirms the phrase's correctness and reliable sourcing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the percentage

Focuses specifically on percentage rather than a more general proportion.

concerning the ratio

Emphasizes the relationship between two quantities.

in relation to the amount

Highlights the relationship to a specific quantity or amount.

with respect to the quantity

More formal way to indicate relation to a quantity.

considering the fraction

Specifies a fractional part of a whole.

as a share of the whole

Indicates a portion of a total amount.

what fraction applies

Focuses on the applicable fraction in a given situation.

what percentage holds true

Emphasizes the accuracy or validity of a percentage.

what share is relevant

Highlights the relevance of a particular share or portion.

how much of it

Directly asks about the quantity of something, less formal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on what proportion" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "regarding the percentage", "concerning the ratio", or "in relation to the amount" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "on what proportion" or "what percentage"?

"What percentage" is generally more common, but "on what proportion" can be used when you want to emphasize the relative amount in relation to a whole. See also "regarding the percentage".

What does "on what proportion" mean?

The phrase "on what proportion" refers to asking about the ratio or fraction of something compared to the whole. It seeks to find out what part of a total the subject occupies.

How do I use "on what proportion" in a sentence about investments?

You might ask, "Investment brokerages ought to produce data on what proportion of their retail clients know the fees they will incur on each investment" or consider rephrasing with "regarding the percentage".