significant proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large amount of something relatively to the whole. For example, "A significant proportion of the population lives in poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Indeed, a significant proportion of the P.L.O.

The New Yorker

False personal injury claims constitute a significant proportion of this.

The Guardian - Money

A significant proportion of APP exports are to Europe.

The Guardian

A significant proportion of the comments denigrated and dismissed her.

The Guardian

These losses represent a significant proportion of their income.

The Guardian

McDermott explains: "A significant proportion of European gas comes from Russia and a significant proportion of that transports across Ukraine.

The Guardian

A significant proportion of honours are from community, voluntary and local services.

The Guardian

The singing, of course, constitutes a significant proportion of the film.

The Guardian

From my observation, NHS staff made up a significant proportion of the large crowd.

The Guardian

A year is such a significant proportion of a young child's life.

The Guardian

Ronaldo's every touch had been booed by a significant proportion of a 59,793 crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant proportion of", ensure the context clearly defines the whole to which the proportion relates, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "significant proportion of" when the actual proportion is small or unremarkable. Quantify the proportion if possible to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that a notable part of a whole is being referred to. Ludwig shows examples across diverse contexts, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a noteworthy part of a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. While it's important to ensure the context clearly defines the whole, avoid overstating the significance. Alternatives like "substantial fraction of" or "large percentage of" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase functions as a determiner, emphasizing the importance of the segment being discussed and generally maintaining a neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large percentage of

Directly quantifies the amount, focusing on the numerical representation.

substantial fraction of

Emphasizes the part-to-whole relationship with a focus on the magnitude of the fraction.

considerable segment of

Highlights a notable section or group within a larger entity.

bulk of

Emphasizes the majority or largest part of something.

major share of

Implies influence or control associated with possessing a large portion.

appreciable number of

Indicates that the quantity is easily perceived or measurable.

notable quantity of

Stresses the amount or volume, suggesting it's worthy of attention.

remarkable amount of

Highlights the surprising or noteworthy size of the portion.

a good deal of

More informal, suggesting a sizable but unspecified amount.

a sizable chunk of

Informal, emphasizing a significant piece or part.

FAQs

How can I use "significant proportion of" in a sentence?

Use "significant proportion of" to indicate that a considerable part of a whole is being discussed. For example, "A "significant proportion of" the budget is allocated to education".

What are some alternatives to saying "significant proportion of"?

You can use phrases like "substantial fraction of", "large percentage of", or "considerable segment of" depending on the specific context.

Is it more effective to quantify the proportion instead of using "significant proportion of"?

Quantifying the proportion with a specific percentage or fraction provides more precise information. However, "significant proportion of" is useful when the exact amount is unknown or less important than the fact that it's a notable amount.

What's the difference between "significant proportion of" and "majority of"?

"Significant proportion of" implies a substantial amount, but not necessarily more than half. "Majority of" specifically means more than 50%.