overall proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

"overall proportion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a sentence to describe the total distribution or ratio of something within a larger context. Example: The results of the survey show that the overall proportion of students who are satisfied with their education has increased by 10% in the past year.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The overall proportion of genres in this year's programme is almost identical to last year.

The Guardian

The overall proportion has fallen only slightly the last 10 years, and poverty levels have risen in many countries.

The New York Times

There was also a four-percentage-point increase in the overall proportion of pupils attaining the higher level, five, for maths, rising to 39%.

The Guardian

The overall proportion of those surveyed who were not happy with their looks rose to 33% this year, from 29% last year and 26% two years ago.

The Guardian

The overall proportion of A* grades was down on both 2015 and 2014 when the figure was 8.2%, the highest since the elite grade was introduced in 2010.

The Guardian

Black homeownership has dropped substantially in Oakland in recent years, with the overall proportion of African Americans declining by nearly 40% between 1990 and 2011.

The Guardian

Asked to respond, the Department for Work and Pensions stressed the overall proportion of young black people who are unemployed was only 22%.

The Guardian

The overall proportion of social tenants who expect to buy their current home has increased from 35% in 2010-11 to 42% in 2014-15.

The Guardian

The overall proportion of pupils getting A*-C in English plummeted 5.2%to60.2%2%, and maths suffered a drop of 2.3 percentage points for grades A*-C.

The Guardian

Their overall proportion has remained static at 5% over the last two years, compared with around 14% in the population as a whole.

The Guardian

The overall proportion of cases that fail is a popular choice.

Security Informatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about statistical data, use "overall proportion" to clearly convey the total representation of a subset within a larger set, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "proportion" and "percentage" interchangeably. While both relate to part-whole relationships, "percentage" is specifically the proportion multiplied by 100. Ensure clarity and accuracy by choosing the appropriate term for your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall proportion" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, quantifying a part-to-whole relationship. Ludwig confirms its proper and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overall proportion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase. According to Ludwig, it serves to quantify the relationship between a part and a whole, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "total percentage" or "aggregate share", the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When employing this phrase, maintain clarity by distinguishing it from "percentage" and ensure subject-verb agreement. With this, the phrase is suitable for various formal and informal contexts, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total percentage

Emphasizes the part-to-whole relationship expressed as a percentage.

aggregate share

Focuses on the combined portion or allocation of something.

general distribution

Highlights the spread or arrangement across a whole.

total representation

Implies the degree to which something is depicted or symbolized in a larger group.

combined ratio

Stresses the numerical relation of two or more quantities considered together.

overall incidence

Refers to the frequency of occurrence of something within a defined population.

global rate

Focuses on the measure, quantity, or frequency, typically over a period of time and across a large scope.

total extent

Indicates the degree, size, or scope of something considered as a whole.

aggregate fraction

Emphasizes the part-to-whole relationship expressed as a fraction, considering multiple parts together.

summary portion

Suggests a summarized or condensed part of a whole.

FAQs

How is "overall proportion" used in statistical analysis?

In statistical analysis, the "overall proportion" is used to describe the fraction of a population that possesses a specific characteristic. It's a key measure in understanding distributions and making comparisons across different groups.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "overall proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "total percentage", "aggregate share", or "general distribution" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the overall proportion are" instead of "is"?

No, it's generally more appropriate to use "is" with "overall proportion" because "proportion" is treated as a singular noun in this context. For example, "The overall proportion of students is increasing."

What does "overall proportion" measure in scientific research?

In scientific research, "overall proportion" can measure the prevalence of a condition, the representation of a specific group within a sample, or the extent of a particular characteristic. It provides a comprehensive view of the data being analyzed.