proportion of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportion of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific part or percentage of a larger group or quantity. Example: "The survey revealed a proportion of which indicated a preference for online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a very sizable Christian population, the largest proportion of which is Roman Catholic.

Britannica

Some ideas – a curiously large proportion of which seem to originate in the mind of George Osborne – amply deserve mockery.

The Guardian

When the thyroid is nudged by TSH, it produces thyroid hormone a large proportion of which is thyroxine (T4) and a smaller proportion triiodothyronine (T3).

Harvard University

Asthma accounts for considerable healthcare expenditure, a large proportion of which is attributable to use of expensive urgent healthcare.

Respiratory Medicine

A total of 36 articles were published, a high proportion of which (78%) were full-length papers.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Thanks to the miracle of capitalism, however, their current account contains £170m, an unknown proportion of which will be available for Ferguson to spend.

The Guardian - Sport

Under the new ownership structure around 2,000 fans have pledged almost £2m, a significant proportion of which has been placed in Escrow.

The Guardian - Sport

Shrinkage refers to all kinds of store theft, the largest proportion of which is caused not by shoplifters but rather by store employees.

The New York Times

Sanskrit has more than a hundred words and phrases to describe beauty, loveliness and attraction, a large proportion of which are connected with sexuality.

The Guardian - Arts

Fruit Shoot My-5 contains no added sugar, only naturally occurring sugars from the fruit, a proportion of which will be fructose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Or it may just be that he's a sensitive chronicler of modern life, an enormous proportion of which consists of committee work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proportion of which", ensure that the preceding noun clearly defines the whole from which the proportion is being taken. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "proportion of which" when the antecedent (the noun it refers to) is unclear or missing. Always ensure the reader can easily identify what the "whole" is before stating the proportion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportion of which" functions as a relative clause modifier, specifying a quantity or share of a previously mentioned entity. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, it helps to elaborate on the composition or distribution of elements within a defined set.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proportion of which" is a versatile phrase used to specify a quantity or share relative to a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the noun being referenced is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While synonyms like "percentage of which" and "fraction of which" exist, "proportion of which" maintains a neutral register suitable for various professional and academic settings. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing for enhanced clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

percentage of which

Replaces "proportion" with "percentage", focusing on a numerical ratio.

fraction of which

Substitutes "proportion" with "fraction", emphasizing a part of a whole.

share of which

Uses "share" instead of "proportion", indicating a part or allocation.

part of which

Replaces "proportion" with "part", providing a more general reference to a segment.

amount of which

Substitutes "proportion" with "amount", referring to a quantity or measure.

quantity of which

Employs "quantity" instead of "proportion", focusing on a specific number or amount.

ratio of which

Uses "ratio" instead of "proportion", highlighting the relationship between two quantities.

segment of which

Replaces "proportion" with "segment", emphasizing a specific section or division.

piece of which

Substitutes "proportion" with "piece", indicating a fragment or portion.

some of which

Replaces "proportion of which" with "some of which", indicating an unquantified subset.

FAQs

How do I use "proportion of which" in a sentence?

Use "proportion of which" to refer to a specific part or amount of a larger whole that you've already mentioned. For example, "The project cost $1 million, a significant "portion of which" was funded by private investors."

What's a more formal alternative to "proportion of which"?

While "proportion of which" is already quite formal, you could opt for phrases like "percentage thereof" or "fraction thereof" in highly formal or legal contexts. However, "proportion of which" remains suitable for most professional and academic writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a majority of which" instead of "proportion of which"?

Yes, "a majority of which" is grammatically correct, but it implies that the proportion is greater than 50%. Use "proportion of which" when you want to specify any amount, not necessarily a majority.

What are common mistakes to avoid when using "proportion of which"?

One common mistake is using it when the "whole" being referred to is not clearly defined or understood by the reader. Always make sure the noun that "which" refers back to is unambiguous. Also avoid overuse; sometimes a simpler construction is more effective.