proportionately speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportionately speaking" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being discussed or compared in terms of proportion or ratio. Example: "In terms of population, the city's crime rate is relatively low. However, proportionately speaking, it still has a high number of reported incidents compared to other cities of similar size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Proportionately speaking, fewer Americans pay income tax than used to be the case.

The New Yorker

Proportionately speaking, amateur construction appears to have contributed little to the general damage.

The New York Times

Immigration experts said they could not think of another city that, proportionately speaking, had absorbed so many newcomers so quickly.

The New York Times

In fact, in recent years contractors have, proportionately speaking, sacrificed even more than regular forces.

Huffington Post

And so, by the time I turned 18 - as tall as the figurine (proportionately speaking), and most of that puppy fat finally melted away – I was ready to tell my grandmother not to give me the present; to keep hold of that girl in her pink dress.

The Guardian - Opinion

The scandal sparked huge protests described as "the largest demonstrations of any kind, in any country, ever (proportionately speaking)." A global change.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Immigrant mothers were older, had lower income adequacy, and spoke proportionately less English at home than Canadian born mothers.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

While we must understand that economically consumers want to react to higher electricity prices by reducing consumption of electricity, physically speaking they may be unwilling to change their consumption habits proportionately (if they still need heating or cooling in the cold or warm months, respectively).

Chemistry Central Journal

speaking style.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

speaking rate.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Analysis of those 11 women may indicate cultural barriers as there were proportionately more women who did not answer the specific questions about abuse who were foreign born, spoke another language than Swedish at home and had a low level of education.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proportionately speaking" to add a layer of analysis to a statement, indicating that you are considering the relative sizes or amounts involved. For instance, 'While the city has a lower total crime rate, proportionately speaking, violent crimes are higher than in comparable cities'.

Common error

Avoid using "proportionately speaking" when simply stating a fact without considering proportions. For example, instead of saying 'Proportionately speaking, the population increased this year', it's better to say 'The population increased by X percent this year' if you are not comparing it to another value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportionately speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the statement that follows by indicating that it's being considered in relation to proportions or ratios. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly suggests a comparison of relative amounts. For example, 'Proportionately speaking, amateur construction appears to have contributed little to the general damage'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Proportionately speaking" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that a statement should be considered in the context of proportions or ratios. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and typical usage. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're making a comparison of relative amounts rather than stating an absolute fact. Alternatives like "relatively speaking" or "in proportion" can be suitable substitutes depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively speaking

Focuses on comparison to something else, similar to considering proportions.

in proportion

Emphasizes the balance between two or more things.

considering the ratio

Highlights the mathematical relationship between quantities.

in comparative terms

Places the subject in relation to a comparable baseline.

by way of comparison

Signals an explicit comparison, often highlighting differences.

in relation to

Indicates a connection or dependence between items.

on a proportional basis

Emphasizes fair or equitable distribution.

when viewed proportionally

Highlights a specific perspective emphasizing proportions.

if we consider the proportions

Suggests a deliberate act of considering proportions.

given the relative amounts

Focuses on the amount or quantity relative to something else.

FAQs

How do you use "proportionately speaking" in a sentence?

Use "proportionately speaking" to compare amounts or ratios rather than absolute numbers. For example, "While the city has fewer overall cases of the flu, "proportionately speaking", more children are affected compared to last year".

What's a good alternative to "proportionately speaking"?

Alternatives include "relatively speaking", "in proportion", or "considering the ratio", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

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

Yes, "proportionally speaking" is also correct and conveys the same meaning. Both "proportionately" and "proportionally" can function as adverbs modifying "speaking".

When should I use "proportionately speaking" instead of just stating a percentage?

Use "proportionately speaking" when you want to emphasize the comparison of ratios or percentages between different groups or situations, rather than simply presenting a single percentage value.