smaller ratio

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller ratio" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more ratios to indicate that one is less than the other. Example: "In our analysis, we found that the smaller ratio of expenses to income indicates better financial health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The smaller ratio, known as Academy format, is approximated by most television sets.

The New York Times

That is because most poor countries are already on programmes to cut their loans burdens down to a smaller ratio of their national income.

The Guardian

Taking On New Roles Roughly 1 in 20 of the 5,600 soldiers at Warhorse is female, a smaller ratio than in the military as a whole.

The New York Times

After nine months in the job I have instituted some big changes after listening to criticism – the open door policy, a radically smaller ratio of development to production, one indie department instead of four.

The Guardian

At the same time, the added gears make it feasible to use a smaller ratio spread between adjacent gears — for instance, fourth and fifth gears — to keep the engine revving at its best power level for a given road speed.

The New York Times

Seal and Butcher both make baklava rolls, rather than the more conventional layered pastries; it's a quicker method, but a less satisfying one, as the smaller ratio of pastry to filling allows them to absorb less syrup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The extremely large size of Steller's sea cow functioned as an adaptation for survival in cool waters by providing the animal with a smaller ratio of surface area to volume than tropical sirenians, and the thick hide probably provided better insulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For smaller ratio than 750, the results obtained from traditional design method were not viable.

Advances in Engineering Software

Note that a smaller ratio of the EMD plotted in the lower area of the graph indicates higher similarity.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This is explained by the much smaller ratio between stiffness and strength of timber members compared to concrete members.

Construction and Building Materials

Two supersaturated solutions having a supersaturation ratio of 1.2 and a smaller ratio were placed in the two compartments in the absence of seed crystals.

Journal of Crystal Growth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing different sets of data, use the phrase "smaller ratio" to clearly indicate which set has a lesser proportional relationship between its components. Always specify the units of measurement for each component to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "smaller ratio" when you simply mean a "smaller number". The phrase implies a relationship between two quantities, not just the magnitude of a single value. Confusing these can lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller ratio" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the ratio being discussed is of a lesser magnitude compared to another ratio. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it's used to compare proportions in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller ratio" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, according to Ludwig, for comparing proportions and quantitative relationships. It finds common application across scientific, news, and business contexts. When writing, ensure that the use of "smaller ratio" accurately reflects a comparison between two quantities and avoids simple magnitude descriptions. Alternatives like "lower proportion" or "reduced rate" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase’s effectiveness lies in its precision, highlighting proportional differences rather than absolute values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower proportion

Emphasizes the relative quantity or share being reduced, focusing on the proportional aspect.

reduced fraction

Highlights the mathematical aspect of the ratio as a fraction, suggesting simplification or decrease.

diminished rate

Focuses on the rate or frequency being lessened, suitable when the ratio represents a rate of change.

narrower gap

Implies a closing or reduction in the difference between two quantities, altering the relational perspective.

lesser extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope of something being smaller, emphasizing the magnitude.

minimized amount

Highlights the minimization of a particular amount, focusing on reduction to the lowest possible level.

decreased incidence

Refers specifically to a reduction in the frequency or occurrence of something, typically used in statistical contexts.

contracted interval

Suggests a shrinking or compression of an interval or range, altering the perception of scale.

attenuated correlation

Indicates a weakening or lessening of the relationship between two variables, emphasizing statistical correlation.

curtailed frequency

Emphasis in something that is limited

FAQs

How can I use "smaller ratio" in a sentence?

Use "smaller ratio" to compare proportions or fractions, for instance: "A "smaller ratio" of debt to income indicates better financial health."

What is an alternative to saying "smaller ratio"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lower proportion", "reduced rate", or "narrower gap". The best choice depends on what you are comparing.

Is it correct to say "more small ratio" instead of "smaller ratio"?

No, "more small ratio" is grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form is "smaller ratio". You might consider rephrasing as "a smaller proportion" if you wish to avoid the word "ratio".

What's the difference between "smaller ratio" and "lower ratio"?

"Smaller ratio" and "lower ratio" are often interchangeable. However, "lower ratio" might emphasize a position on a scale, while "smaller ratio" highlights the magnitude of the proportional relationship.