proportionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'proportionally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'proportionally' to show a comparison of two values and how they can be related in relation to one another. For example: "The revenue generated from the sales of the product was proportionally equal to the amount spent on advertising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Male Conservative MPs voted against equal marriage in larger numbers proportionally than their female colleagues, according to a breakdown of the voting figures after the historic debate in parliament.

The Guardian

During the Iraq conflict, the number returning was proportionally small, partly because of the intensity of the fight: there were no insurgent-held safe areas, and new arrivals were drafted in as suicide bombers or became the victims of relentless tracking by US forces.

The Guardian

It is true that non-heterosexual youths suffer proportionally higher depression rates than their heterosexual counterparts, but this difference is correlated heavily to homophobic treatment by peers and, worse again, parental disapproval.

The Guardian

Similarly, Farage's party would become a genuine parliamentary force under a proportionally representative system.

The Guardian

As for talk of gumming up both houses of Parliament for months, that's a threat not a prediction, made by those planning on doing the gumming.Of course Lib Dems want a proportionally elected Senate, counter Tory and Labour politicians: they think they would hold the balance of power there.

The Economist

The big difference, of course, is that present four-bangers are turbocharged that is, they are force-fed more air than normal, allowing them to burn proportionally more fuel.

The Economist

It is likely to cut 12% of its staff, with proportionally more senior banking staff at risk than at other big investment banks that have announced similar cutbacks.Citigroup decided that Salomon and Schroders no longer had a place in investment banking and will rebrand these units under its own name.

The Economist

Their argument is that they are bailing out a bust Irish government which is holding taxes artificially low (never mind that Ireland's low corporate-tax rate yields proportionally bigger revenues than in most other countries).Fortunately tax matters are decided by unanimity in the EU.

The Economist

Proportionally, some of the country's rivals let in more.

The Economist

In three weeks of bombing, some 1,300 of Gaza's 1.5m people may have been killed and many thousands wounded almost as many as the number of Britons, proportionally, who were killed by the German blitz in the second world war.

The Economist

Given the size of its economy, the flow of immigrants to Britain from poor countries is proportionally low.According to the Centre for Global Development, a think-tank in Washington, DC, Britain's borders are relatively closed to immigrants and refugees from poor countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proportionally", ensure that the relationship you're describing is clearly defined. Specify what two elements are being compared and how their magnitudes relate to each other.

Common error

Avoid using "proportionally" without clearly establishing the base or reference point for comparison. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "proportionally" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that something is related in size, amount, or degree. Ludwig AI highlights various examples demonstrating its modifying function in conveying relative relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proportionally" is a versatile adverb used to express relationships of scale or ratio. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct, and it's frequently found in news, science, and formal writing. To ensure clarity, explicitly state the elements being compared. Remember that "proportionately" is an acceptable synonym. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "proportionally" into your writing, adding precision and nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Proportionately

A direct synonym, interchangeable in most contexts without significant change in meaning.

In proportion

A more explicit way of stating that something is adjusted or scaled according to a specific ratio.

Correspondingly

Emphasizes a direct and clear relationship or correspondence between two things.

Commensurately

Implies that something is appropriate or proportionate to something else, often used in formal contexts.

Comparatively

Highlights a comparison between two or more things, often in terms of quantity or degree.

Relatively

Suggests that something is being considered in relation to something else, often implying a degree of subjectivity.

According to scale

Emphasizes that something is adjusted or represented based on a specific scale or ratio.

In direct relation

Suggests a direct and causative relationship between two things, where one influences the other.

In equal measure

Indicates that something is being distributed or adjusted equally among different parts or elements.

To the same degree

Implies that something is happening or being done to the same extent or level as something else.

FAQs

How can I use "proportionally" in a sentence?

You can use "proportionally" to indicate that two quantities or values change at the same rate or in a consistent ratio. For example, "The tax burden should be "distributed proportionally" based on income".

What's the difference between "proportionally" and "proportionately"?

"Proportionally" and "proportionately" are synonyms and can be used interchangeably. The Oxford English Dictionary accepts both as valid adverbs.

Which words are synonyms for "proportionally"?

Synonyms for "proportionally" include "correspondingly", "relatively", and "comparatively", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

When is it best to use "proportionally" instead of another related term?

Use "proportionally" when you want to emphasize that two quantities are changing in a directly related manner, such that their ratio remains constant. It is especially useful in mathematical and statistical contexts where precision is important.