substantial proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial proportion" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of a group relative to the whole. For example, "A substantial proportion of the population reported feeling happy with their careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A substantial proportion of patients experienced moderate to severe pain.

Pain Management Nursing

Maxillofacial injuries constitute a substantial proportion of cases of trauma.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

"This represents a substantial proportion of G.S.K.'s outstanding litigation.

The New York Times

Our activist contact estimated that a substantial proportion of Tripoli's population oppose Gaddafi.

The Guardian

Nepal relies heavily on India for a substantial proportion of its imports.

The Guardian

A profit-driven industry is hardly going to surrender a substantial proportion of what Which?

The Guardian

First, she's obliged to put away a substantial proportion of Italy's gastronomic output.

The Guardian - Film

A small winery can pour away a substantial proportion of its product in tastings.

The New York Times

These fees can claim a substantial proportion of the foundations' revenues.

The New Yorker

And the polls said a substantial proportion of the public felt sorry for Gordon.

The Guardian

Children have been recruited and, according to witnesses, provide a substantial proportion of the armed gangs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial proportion" when you want to indicate that a significant, but not necessarily majority, part of a whole is being discussed. It suggests a noticeable and important quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial proportion" when referring to a very small percentage or insignificant amount. Ensure that the proportion is genuinely noteworthy to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial proportion" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It quantifies a part of a whole, indicating that the part is significant but not necessarily the majority. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial proportion" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that indicates a significant, though not necessarily majority, part of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and the phrase is appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. The phrase is best used when aiming to convey that a noticeable quantity or segment possesses a particular quality or characteristic. While alternatives such as ""significant portion"" or ""considerable fraction"" exist, "substantial proportion" maintains a strong presence in diverse professional, academic, and general communication scenarios, as confirmed by its prevalence across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant portion

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the part.

significant segment

Similar to 'large segment', but using 'significant' to emphasize importance.

considerable fraction

Uses "considerable" and "fraction" to convey a notable part of the whole.

considerable segment

Similar to 'large segment', but using 'considerable' to emphasize importance.

large segment

Emphasizes the size of the group or part being referred to.

major share

Highlights the dominance or importance of the portion.

meaningful portion

Implies that the portion is not just large, but also relevant or impactful.

sizeable amount

Focuses on the quantity rather than the proportional relationship.

appreciable quantity

Stresses that the amount is large enough to be noticed or considered.

notable percentage

Uses "percentage" for more precise numerical emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial proportion" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial proportion" to indicate a significant, though not necessarily majority, part of a whole. For example, "A substantial proportion of the students passed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "substantial proportion"?

Alternatives include "significant portion", "considerable fraction", and "large segment", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "substantial proportion" or "significant proportion"?

"Substantial proportion" and "significant proportion" are often interchangeable, but "substantial" may imply a slightly larger or more impactful amount. Choose the term that best fits the specific context.

When should I avoid using "substantial proportion"?

Avoid using "substantial proportion" when referring to very small or insignificant amounts. In such cases, terms like "small fraction" or "negligible amount" would be more appropriate.