proportionately to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportionately to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a relationship between two things that are connected in some way, typically a proportionate ratio between them. For example, "The number of people attending the event grew proportionately to the amount of advertising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your per-share basis is reduced proportionately to the split.

The New York Times

I urge Indonesian authorities to respond proportionately to any breach of their sovereignty by this flotilla".

The Guardian

The region between the brow and the lip is scrunched proportionately to the overall head size.

Independent

In the new NATO, commanders would ease requirements that all members contribute proportionately to the common defense.

The New York Times

The island's 20 at-large delegates are allocated proportionately to candidates who meet a 15 percent threshold.

The New York Times

All hospitals contribute proportionately to a pot to cover uncompensated care — and this cost is incorporated into their regulated rates.

The New York Times

Because they provide leverage, moving up or down in value more than proportionately to changes in the underlying stock, options lend themselves to speculation.

The New York Times

To respond effectively and proportionately to problems in pregnancy, and especially in labour, a midwife must make an informed clinical judgment about the mother's health and wellbeing.

The Guardian

Now, Mr. Gaffney said, the AIDS epidemic has shifted proportionately to a poorer population with a heavy percentage of drug abusers.

The New York Times

A range of sanctions will be available, applied "proportionately" to the scale of the breach, with exclusion from competition the hardest penalty for the deepest lossmakers.

The Guardian - Sport

The companies that make cars have offices and other infrastructure with their own carbon footprints, which we need to somehow allocate proportionately to the cars that are made.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proportionately to", ensure that the relationship between the elements you are describing is genuinely proportional. Avoid using it loosely when a more general term like "related to" would be more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "proportionately to" when the relationship isn't a direct ratio. For example, don't say "Happiness increased proportionately to effort" if the increase isn't mathematically consistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportionately to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a direct relationship or correspondence between two quantities or entities. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in establishing ratios and dependencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proportionately to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies a direct, consistent relationship between two entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly used to describe ratios and dependencies in various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. When using this phrase, make sure to apply it when the relationship between the elements you are describing is genuinely proportional. Alternatives like "corresponding to" or "in relation to" can be employed when the relationship isn't strictly proportional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corresponding to

This phrase focuses on a direct match or alignment between two things.

in proportion with

This alternative emphasizes maintaining a balance or ratio.

commensurate with

This alternative suggests an appropriate or corresponding measure.

in relation to

This phrase indicates a connection or association between two things.

relative to

This phrase signifies a comparison or ratio between two things.

as a function of

This phrase signifies that one thing varies based on another.

consistent with

This phrase highlights an agreement or harmony between two things.

in accordance with

This alternative suggests compliance or agreement.

dependent on

This phrase emphasizes that one thing relies on another.

linked to

This alternative indicates a direct connection or association.

FAQs

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

Use "proportionately to" to describe how one quantity changes in direct relation to another. For example: "The tax burden is distributed "fairly to" each citizen, based on their income."

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "corresponding to", "in relation to", or "relative to". The best choice depends on the specific relationship you're describing.

Is it correct to say 'proportional with' instead of "proportionately to"?

While "proportional with" might sound similar, it's less common and can be ambiguous. "Proportionately to" is generally the clearer and more accepted phrasing.

What is the difference between "proportionately to" and "directly related to"?

"Proportionately to" implies a specific mathematical relationship, while "directly related to" simply indicates a correlation without specifying the exact nature of the relationship.