proportionally to

USAGE SUMMARY

'proportionally to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things that increase or decrease in relation to each other. For example, "The amount of sugar you add to a recipe should increase proportionally to the amount of liquid."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The nucleation rate is lowered inversely proportionally to τd.

Polymer

The optical yield increased proportionally to the magnetic flux density.

Electrochimica Acta

Guam sends eight delegates — with half a vote each, awarded proportionally — to the Democratic National Convention.

The New York Times

Chances are, however, that undecideds will break proportionally to those already decided.

The Guardian - Opinion

On one hand, the array quantum efficiency should increase proportionally to the array density.

Nature

The value of dwellings was distributed proportionally to the population of any land use class.

Nature

Had salaries grown proportionally to our classroom spending, the average salary would now be $120,000.

The Washington Post

declare("scaleexternal", 1) // Should we scale down the external inputs proportionally to the network deletion?

Yale University

As they descend into the water, the external pressure increases proportionally to the depth.

Britannica

Serum insulin concentrations increased proportionally to PPG dosage (treatment×hour; P<0.01).

Livestock Science

In unequal clustering, the cluster size varies proportionally to the distance to Base Station (BS).

Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proportionally to", ensure that the relationship between the two quantities is genuinely proportional, meaning they increase or decrease at a constant ratio. Avoid using it when the relationship is merely correlated or loosely associated.

Common error

Avoid using "proportionally to" when the relationship between two things is not directly proportional. For example, saying "Happiness increases proportionally to wealth" might be misleading, as other factors influence happiness beyond just wealth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportionally to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a direct relationship between two quantities. It establishes that one quantity changes in direct relation to another. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in expressing proportionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proportionally to" serves as a prepositional phrase that accurately conveys the relationship between two quantities that change at a constant rate. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its prevalence spans scientific, news and encyclopedia contexts. While generally versatile, be mindful not to over extend into loosely associated contexts. Consider alternatives such as "in direct proportion to" for scientific contexts, or "commensurate with" and "relative to" for other areas. Use it confidently, keeping proportionality and context in mind for best results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in direct proportion to

Replaces "proportionally to" with a more explicit mathematical term, emphasizing a constant ratio.

in proportion with

Similar to "proportionally to" but uses slightly different phrasing, maintaining the core meaning.

corresponding to

Indicates a matching or equivalent relationship, focusing on the parallel change between two entities.

commensurate with

Implies that something is adjusted to be in suitable or fair proportion to something else.

relative to

Highlights the relationship by expressing how one thing is considered in comparison to another.

in relation to

Indicates a general connection or association, without specifying the exact nature of the proportionality.

as a function of

Suggests that one variable is determined by or dependent on another.

in accordance with

Conveys that something is done or allocated following a specific rule or standard, often implying fairness.

dependently on

Highlights the dependence of one thing on another, but doesn't explicitly state a proportional relationship.

tied to

Emphasizes a strong connection or association, suggesting that changes in one are linked to changes in the other.

FAQs

How do I use "proportionally to" in a sentence?

Use "proportionally to" to show that two quantities change at a constant rate relative to each other. For example, "The tax burden is distributed "proportionately to" income."

What's an alternative to saying "proportionally to"?

You can use phrases like "in direct proportion to", "commensurate with", or "relative to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "proportionately to" instead of "proportionally to"?

Both "proportionally to" and ""proportionately to"" are grammatically correct and often used interchangeably, although "proportionally to" may be slightly more common in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "proportionally to" and "relatively to"?

"Proportionally to" implies a specific ratio or rate of change, while "relatively to" simply means in comparison or in relation to, without specifying the nature of the relationship.