somewhat disproportionate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat disproportionate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or comparison where there is an imbalance or inequality that is not extreme but still noticeable. Example: "The funding allocated to the project seems somewhat disproportionate compared to the resources required for its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Nick is no angel, but the revenge that follows seems somewhat disproportionate to his offenses.

The New Yorker

Chloe Skafte, 19, lured Kate into her shot with a bunch of flowers: While a selfie taken of the Duchess high-fiving a child in Christchurch promptly circulated Twitter with the somewhat disproportionate hashtag ' besteverselfie': The couple arrived in Australia on Wednesday (16 April) with Prince George – AKA 'The Republican Slayer' – dangling from Prince William's arms in a white romper suit.

Independent

We're finally open!") and the somewhat disproportionate expressions of contentment on the face of patrons — not to mention investors — when the Munson finally reopened to big crowds last week, a lesson in comfort food, diner lore and other themes that could have been explored had anyone been nuts enough to greenlight the reality show.

The New York Times

People being arrested for remaining on private property without permission isn't exactly news but the scale of the police action against what looked to have been a pretty low-key protest — that wasn't really taking aim at Google the corporate entity itself — does seem somewhat disproportionate.

TechCrunch

In ratios somewhat disproportionate to real life, subjugated women drive the plotlines of movies and television.

Huffington Post

A lot of people think we could have another 10 or 15 million more this year, of which a somewhat disproportionate number would be younger voters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Leading criminal barrister John Cooper QC warned that judges and magistrates had a duty "not to be influenced by angry Britain", describing some of the sentences handed down already as "disproportionate and somewhat hysterical".

Independent

36 Interestingly, the Hbmass– relationship appears to uncouple somewhat following altitude training, with disproportionate changes being reported in Hbmass and.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Over the past few weeks, Kanye West's somewhat delusional statements of grandeur have reached such dizzying, disproportionate heights, many news editors believed an entirely fictitious story, which claims the rapper distastefully compared himself to the late South African president.

Independent

Despite being widely despised for holding a disproportionate share of the country's wealth, Chinese were also, somewhat paradoxically, treated as potential sympathizers of the China-linked Indonesian Communist Party, which was wiped out in the 1965-66 purge that left more than half a million people dead.

The New York Times

Still, Professor Kennedy said Mr. Obama had been "somewhat diffident" about issues that would be of special significance to African-Americans, like the disproportionate number of blacks in prison or urban poverty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat disproportionate" to describe situations where an imbalance is evident but not extreme, providing a nuanced assessment. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared to establish the disproportion.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat disproportionate" when the imbalance is glaringly obvious or extreme. Opt for stronger terms like "grossly disproportionate" or "entirely unbalanced" in such cases to accurately reflect the magnitude of the disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat disproportionate" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. It modifies a noun or clause to indicate that something is imbalanced or unequal to a certain extent. As supported by Ludwig AI, it adds nuance by expressing a degree of imbalance that is not extreme.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat disproportionate" is a valuable tool for expressing a degree of imbalance or inequality in a nuanced way. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in contexts such as news media and scientific writing. While alternatives like "slightly imbalanced" or "moderately unequal" exist, "somewhat disproportionate" offers a specific nuance by implying a degree of excess or imbalance that is noticeable but not overwhelming. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being compared to highlight the disparity effectively. Avoid using the phrase where a more extreme imbalance exists; in such instances, terms like "grossly disproportionate" may be more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly out of proportion

Focuses on the relative size or scale not being harmonious or balanced.

slightly imbalanced

Indicates a minor degree of imbalance, less pronounced than "somewhat disproportionate".

moderately unequal

Suggests a noticeable but not extreme level of inequality.

relatively unbalanced

Stresses the imbalance in relation to something else, highlighting the comparative aspect.

a bit excessive

Highlights the aspect of being beyond what is considered normal or acceptable, focusing on excessiveness rather than proportion.

marginally excessive

Indicates a slight overstepping of acceptable limits, focusing on the degree of excess.

rather skewed

Emphasizes a lack of symmetry or balance, implying a distortion in the distribution.

somewhat lopsided

Conveys an imbalance where one side is noticeably different or heavier than the other.

somewhat asymmetrical

Highlights the lack of symmetry, implying a difference in corresponding parts.

a little unreasonable

Emphasizes the fairness or justification aspect, suggesting something goes slightly beyond the bounds of reason.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat disproportionate" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat disproportionate" to describe situations where there is an imbalance or inequality that is noticeable but not extreme. For example, "The resources allocated to marketing were "somewhat disproportionate" compared to the budget for product development".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat disproportionate"?

Alternatives include "slightly imbalanced", "moderately unequal", or "slightly out of proportion", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "somewhat disproportionate" instead of "disproportionate"?

"Somewhat disproportionate" is appropriate when the imbalance is present but not overwhelming. Use "disproportionate" when the imbalance is significant and readily apparent. The inclusion of "somewhat" softens the statement.

What is the difference between "somewhat disproportionate" and "relatively unbalanced"?

"Somewhat disproportionate" focuses on the degree to which something is out of proportion, whereas "relatively unbalanced" emphasizes the comparison between two or more things. "Relatively unbalanced" directly implies a comparative relationship.