proportion is low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportion is low" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that the amount or number being referred to is relatively small compared to the whole or expected amount. Example: The proportion of students who passed the final exam this year is low compared to the previous year.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When the area proportion is low, the class definition threshold must also be low to achieve an accurate area estimate.

Remote Sensing of Environment

However, past experience has shown durability and strength of the pervious concrete remains a challenge for adopting them in wider applications, as the binding material proportion is low and the use of fine aggregates is nearly zero.

Construction and Building Materials

If that proportion is low, it may help confirm what politicians in both parties have been saying for months: that the really motivated voters this time around are the ones fired up by economic concerns, not social ones.

The New York Times

For nurses the proportion is low (8%), most in the private sector working in private hospitals.

Human Resources for Health

This proportion is low compared to that reported in Ghana (34.0%) [ 18].

BMC Public Health

The proportion is low and is not crucial for the conclusion.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

These farm activities and underlying business models concentrate and tend to spatially cluster in the metropolitan's center where population density is highest and farmland proportion is lowest.

Land Use Policy

The proportion is lowest among secondary schools (four per cent) and highest among pre-schools (34 per cent)[1].

Unicef

Targets repeated from the previous trial were fixated more than other items during this preview period when target repetition proportion was high and less than other items when target repetition proportion was low.

Acta Psychologica

Our sample was large and representative, and the non-participation proportion was low (7.4 %) [5, 19].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Bacteroidia class had a high proportion in C group, but the proportion was low in Z group compared with the B group.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to clearly emphasize that something is not present in high quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "proportion is low" without providing a comparative reference point. For instance, instead of saying 'The proportion of female engineers is low', specify 'The proportion of female engineers is low compared to male engineers' or 'compared to other professions'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportion is low" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular fraction or percentage is smaller than expected or desired. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proportion is low" is a grammatically correct and versatile way to describe a small fraction or percentage of something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this is a valid phrase. Its usage spans across various contexts including science, news, and formal business settings. To maximize clarity, it is important to provide a comparison reference. Consider alternatives like "percentage is small" or "number is minimal" for stylistic variation. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by always providing comparison and reference points for more clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

percentage is small

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage" and "low" with "small", focusing on a numerical representation.

number is minimal

Substitutes "proportion" with "number" and "low" with "minimal", emphasizing the scarcity of the quantity.

representation is limited

Replaces "proportion" with "representation" and "low" with "limited", highlighting the restricted presence of something.

amount is insignificant

Changes "proportion" to "amount" and "low" to "insignificant", stressing the unimportance of the quantity.

incidence is rare

Replaces "proportion" with "incidence" and "low" with "rare", emphasizing the uncommon occurrence of an event or item.

share is negligible

Substitutes "proportion" with "share" and "low" with "negligible", highlighting the minimal portion of the whole.

rate is reduced

Changes "proportion" to "rate" and "low" to "reduced", focusing on the diminished frequency of something.

levels are depressed

Replaces "proportion" with "levels" and "low" with "depressed", indicating a diminished state or condition.

quantity is deficient

Substitutes "proportion" with "quantity" and "low" with "deficient", highlighting the inadequate supply of something.

extent is curtailed

Changes "proportion" to "extent" and "low" to "curtailed", emphasizing the reduced scope or range of something.

FAQs

What does it mean when I say that the "proportion is low"?

Saying that the "proportion is low" means that the amount or number being referred to is relatively small compared to the whole or to what is expected.

What can I say instead of "proportion is low"?

You can use alternatives like "percentage is small", "number is minimal", or "representation is limited" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "proportion is low" in formal writing?

Yes, "proportion is low" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the statement is clear and supported by data or evidence.

How can I make the statement "proportion is low" more specific?

To be more specific, include a comparison or reference point. For instance, instead of saying "The proportion is low", say "The proportion is low compared to last year" or "The proportion is low relative to the total population".