proportions down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportions down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of reducing or scaling down something, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "We need to proportions down the recipe to serve fewer people."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Additionally, 37% (15/41; p = 0.03) of the genes assigned to the "central intermediary metabolism" category were significantly regulated with equal proportions down- and up-regulated.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rather alarmingly, water use for toilets counts for about a third of all domestic use so what are the options for bringing this proportion down?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The large proportions of down regulated genes in this study suggest that Sr localization in the proximity of the hematopoietic compartment may have compromised the development of certain subsets of the blood cells.

BMC Genomics

Compared to the BPH samples, the lowest proportions of down-regulated Tu samples were observed for miR-101 (26%) and miR-26b (24%).

BMC Cancer

The improvement in reclassification was quantified as the net reclassification improvement (NRI) (sum of differences in proportion of individuals moving up minus the proportion moving down for those with MRSA, and the proportion of individuals moving down minus the proportion moving up for those without MRSA) [ 24].

BMC Infectious Diseases

When the proportions break down, cancellation can loom.

The New York Times

The entire mass began to ripple and churn up... Then the entire north side of the summit began sliding north... we were watching this landslide of unbelievable proportions slide down... the mountain toward Spirit Lake... Before we could snap off more than a few pictures, a huge explosion blasted out..

The New York Times - Science

In the frequentist theory, by contrast, the proportions lay down, indeed define what the chances are.

SEP

Thus, the proportion of down-regulated genes in dcl-1Δ/dcl-2Δ that were also down-regulated in ago-1Δ was smaller (43.8%) than at 24 h and most of them (66.7%) were regulated by rdrp-2.

BMC Genomics

There is a high proportion of down-regulation in the bin associated with development which may be a result of a variety of down-regulation in terms of brassinosteroids, lignin and the phenylpropanoid pathway resulting in the dwarf phenotype.

Horticulture Research

By 2000 the proportion was down to a third.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clarity, replace "proportions down" with more precise alternatives like "reduce proportions" or "scale down" depending on the context. This enhances understanding and avoids grammatical ambiguity.

Common error

Do not use "proportions down" when you intend to express a decrease or reduction. This phrasing is not standard English and can confuse readers. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives such as "reduce the proportions" or "scale down the size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportions down" is intended to modify the noun "proportions", but it doesn't follow standard grammatical rules. As Ludwig AI explains, it is not a correct expression, and it is recommended to use alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "proportions down" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect and lacking clarity. It's best to use more precise and standard alternatives such as "reduce proportions" or "scale down" to avoid ambiguity. The phrase's infrequent usage and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal writing. To enhance clarity and ensure correct expression, consider alternative phrases like "decrease the ratio" or "lower the percentage" depending on the context. The expert rating reflects these limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce proportions

Directly replaces "proportions down" to indicate a decrease in size or amount.

scale down

Implies a reduction in size or extent, fitting contexts where something is being made smaller.

decrease the ratio

Focuses on lowering the numerical relationship between two quantities.

lower the percentage

Specifically targets the reduction of a percentage value.

diminish the share

Suggests a decrease in the portion or allotment of something.

lessen the amount

Indicates reducing the quantity or volume.

cut back the size

Emphasizes a reduction in physical dimensions or scope.

downsize the extent

Focuses on reducing the scope or scale of something.

decline in magnitude

Suggests a decrease in the importance or significance.

bring down the level

Implies reducing a quantity or measure to a lower state.

FAQs

What does "proportions down" mean?

The phrase "proportions down" is not a standard English expression and may not be easily understood. It likely refers to a reduction or decrease in proportions, but clearer alternatives should be used.

How can I use "proportions down" correctly?

It is recommended to avoid using "proportions down" due to its lack of clarity and grammatical awkwardness. Use more precise phrases like "reduce proportions" or "scale down" instead.

What are some alternatives to "proportions down"?

Alternatives include "decrease the ratio", "lower the percentage", or "lessen the amount". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "proportions down" grammatically correct?

No, "proportions down" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use a more explicit phrase that clearly expresses the intended meaning of reducing or decreasing proportions.