proportion of staff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportion of staff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relative amount or percentage of staff in a particular context, such as in reports or analyses. Example: "The proportion of staff who completed the training program increased significantly this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The proportion of staff working extra hours continues to increase – the figure now stands at 73%.

The Guardian

It could have considered the proportion of staff with a recognised teaching qualification.

The Guardian

But a vanishing proportion of staff – fewer than 100 – have so far dared to join the union.

Independent

Instead, they found that the labour market had changed to increase the proportion of staff working in management, as well as allowing workers more autonomy overall.

The Guardian

An NUJ spokesperson said: "A significant proportion of staff have said that they are not satisfied with what the company has proposed.

The Guardian

The proportion of staff disclosing their sexual orientation has increased and LGBT issues are now considered in, for example, conversations about how to develop the curriculum.

The Guardian

An unusually high proportion of staff come from Teach First, a programme that sends highly-qualified graduates into challenging schools for at least two years.

The Economist

The proportion of staff working in Wales has risen by one percentage point to 8% compared with 2007, which a BBC spokesman said reflected the growing importance of Cardiff as a production base.

The Guardian

Conversely, the greater the proportion of staff from a BME background who reported experiencing discrimination at work in the previous 12 months, the lower the levels of patient satisfaction in the study.

The Guardian

"Is it that BME academics aren't applying for senior positions, or is there something else going on?" The proportion of staff disclosing as disabled increased from 2.2% in 2003-04 to 3.9% in 2012-13.

The Guardian

The University of Manchester's vice chancellor Nancy Rothwell says her university's poor performance in league tables measuring student satisfaction is mainly because "a small proportion of staff do not think that students are important", says student newspaper the Mancunion (@mancunion_news).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing changes in the workforce, use "proportion of staff" to clearly indicate the relative size of a particular group within the organization. For example, "The proportion of staff with advanced degrees has increased significantly."

Common error

Avoid using "proportion of staff" when you actually mean the total number of staff. "Proportion" refers to a ratio or percentage, not an absolute count. For example, instead of saying "The proportion of staff is 100", say "The total number of staff is 100".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportion of staff" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, quantifying a specific segment of the workforce. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proportion of staff" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to describe the relative size of a segment within an organization's workforce. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to convey statistical information about workforce composition. Alternatives like "percentage of employees" or "ratio of personnel" can be used depending on the desired formality. When writing, ensure that "proportion" is used to denote a ratio or percentage, rather than an absolute number to avoid confusion. By avoiding common pitfalls and heeding practical tips, writers can effectively leverage this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

percentage of employees

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage", focusing on a statistical representation of the staff.

ratio of personnel

Substitutes "proportion" with "ratio" and "staff" with "personnel", offering a more formal tone.

fraction of workforce

Uses "fraction" instead of "proportion" and "workforce" instead of "staff", indicating a part of the total working population.

share of employees

Replaces "proportion" with "share", emphasizing the portion or allotment of employees.

number of staff members

Focuses on the numerical count rather than the relative amount.

employee distribution

Highlights how employees are spread across different categories or departments.

staff composition

Emphasizes the makeup and arrangement of the staff concerning different attributes like demographics or roles.

workforce representation

Focuses on how well the staff reflects a broader group or population.

staff allocation

Highlights the distribution of staff to different tasks or departments.

level of staffing

Refers to the extent or degree to which an organization is staffed.

FAQs

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

You can use "proportion of staff" to describe the relative amount of employees possessing a certain characteristic or belonging to a certain group. For instance, "The "proportion of staff" trained in data analytics has increased significantly this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "proportion of staff"?

Alternatives include "percentage of employees", "ratio of personnel", or "share of employees", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "percentage of staff" instead of "proportion of staff"?

Yes, "percentage of staff" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "proportion of staff". Both terms refer to the relative quantity of employees within a larger group.

What's the difference between "number of staff" and "proportion of staff"?

"Number of staff" refers to the absolute count of employees, while ""proportion of staff"" indicates the relative amount or percentage of employees compared to a whole. For example, "The number of staff is 200" versus "The "proportion of staff" with PhDs is 20%".