proportion to

USAGE SUMMARY

"proportion to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that one thing is in the same ratio or share as another thing. For example, "The rewards will be distributed in proportion to the amount of effort each person put in."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many people expect that proportion to increase.

The Economist

In proportion to his talent.

The Guardian - Sport

It's totally out of proportion to reality.

The New York Times - Sports

It's so out of proportion to reality".

The New York Times

"Open space is allocated in proportion to units," he said.

The New York Times

It brings refinement in equal proportion to its aggressiveness.

The New York Times

The rows were out of all proportion to events.

The Guardian

Showing photographs in proportion to the casualties is ludicrous.

The New York Times

It is out of all proportion to its surroundings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Modesty and social restraint swell in proportion to combat experience.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seemed out of proportion to the result.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proportion to", ensure that the relationship between the two elements is clearly defined and quantifiable. For instance, specify whether it's a direct or inverse proportion for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a direct proportion when the relationship might be inverse. Always verify the actual relationship; an increase in one element might lead to a decrease, not an increase, in the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportion to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship of quantity, size, or degree between two entities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proportion to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express the relative size, degree, or amount between two entities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. Its frequency is very common, with significant usage in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure the relationship between the two elements is clearly defined, specifying whether it’s a direct or inverse proportion. Common errors involve misinterpreting the direction of the proportion, leading to inaccurate descriptions. Given its wide applicability and clear meaning, "proportion to" remains a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in direct ratio with

Specifies a direct mathematical relationship.

relative to

Focuses on the relationship or comparison between two quantities.

in relation to

Highlights the connection or association between two elements.

commensurate with

Emphasizes that something is in proper measure or degree.

corresponding to

Indicates a direct correlation or matching between two things.

scaled to

Implies an adjustment in size or amount based on another factor.

dependent on

Stresses that one thing is contingent or determined by another.

reflective of

Suggests that one thing mirrors or represents another.

attributable to

Links something as a result or consequence of something else.

in alignment with

Highlights agreement or correspondence with a standard or guideline.

FAQs

How can I use "proportion to" in a sentence?

Use "proportion to" to show how two things relate in size or amount. For example, "The effort required should be in "proportion to" the potential reward".

What's a good alternative to "proportion to" that still conveys a similar meaning?

Alternatives include phrases like "relative to", "in relation to", or "commensurate with", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the relationship.

Is it better to say "in proportion to" or "proportional to"?

"In "proportion to"" typically describes a relationship as it exists, while "proportional to" is an adjective describing something that has the correct relationship. Both are correct, but used in different contexts.

How does "in direct proportion to" differ from "in inverse proportion to"?

"In direct "proportion to"" means as one thing increases, so does the other. "In inverse "proportion to"" means as one thing increases, the other decreases.