the highest ratio

USAGE SUMMARY

'the highest ratio' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the most advantageous or beneficial comparison between two values. For example, "The highest ratio of students to teachers in the state is found in this school district."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the highest ratio since 1.34 in February 1999.

The New York Times

Britain has the highest ratio of services exports to GDP in the G7, at 13%.

The Guardian - Business

Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Norway and Japan have the highest ratio of researchers in the economy.

The Guardian

And in Argentina there is the highest ratio of psychologists to ordinary people anywhere.

The Guardian - Film

"We have the highest ratio of shelter space to population in the world.

The Guardian - Travel

The highest ratio of dollars per population was in Santa Cruz at $140 per capita.

University of California, Berkeley

6 In 2013, the United Arab Emirates' net aid reached 1.25% of GNI, the highest ratio of any country.

The Guardian

Before the storm, the city had the highest ratio population in America of natives, because nobody left.

The Guardian

Britain's public and private debt together runs to some 500% of GDP, by far the highest ratio in history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't look at me: southern Spain has the highest ratio of metaphor to reality of any place I've ever known.

The New Yorker

In Manhattan nearly one fifth of the women over 45 have never married, the highest ratio of any American county.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the highest ratio", clearly define what two quantities are being compared to ensure the context is easily understood by the reader.

Common error

A common error is to assume that because something has "the highest ratio", it is the direct cause of another outcome. Always verify the relationship is causal and not merely correlational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the highest ratio" functions as a superlative nominal phrase, identifying the maximum value in a comparison of proportions or relationships. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and usable for showing the most beneficial comparison. Examples show it used to compare shelter space to population, chocolate egg to packaging, and more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the highest ratio" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to quantitatively compare proportions and highlight the most significant relationship between two elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When employing "the highest ratio", ensure clarity in defining the compared quantities and be cautious of assuming causation from correlation. Alternatives such as "the greatest proportion" or "the maximum rate" may be suitable depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remembering these points will help you use "the highest ratio" effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the greatest proportion

Uses 'proportion' instead of 'ratio', implying a part-to-whole comparison; maintains a formal tone.

the maximum rate

Substitutes 'ratio' with 'rate', suggesting a quantity measured against time or another variable.

the largest quotient

Replaces 'ratio' with 'quotient', focusing on the result of division but maintaining a formal, mathematical tone.

the peak percentage

Emphasizes a percentage as the highest value; useful in contexts involving proportions out of 100.

the uppermost fraction

Uses 'fraction' instead of 'ratio', focusing on a part of a whole; less common but applicable in specific contexts.

the most elevated relationship

Uses a more abstract 'relationship' to describe the comparison, suitable when the ratio represents a connection or correlation.

the supreme incidence

Replaces 'ratio' with 'incidence,' often referring to occurrences or events; maintains a formal and statistical tone.

the utmost correlation

Suggests the strongest statistical link or association, varying from a simple comparison.

the unrivaled density

Uses 'density' to express the amount of something per unit area or volume, presenting a different perspective on proportional comparison.

the unsurpassed frequency

Focuses on how often something occurs relative to something else, rather than a direct comparison of quantities.

FAQs

How can I use "the highest ratio" in a sentence?

You can use "the highest ratio" to compare two quantities and indicate which has the greatest proportional relationship. For example, "This city has "the highest ratio" of parks to residents in the state."

What are some alternatives to saying "the highest ratio"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the greatest proportion", "the maximum rate", or "the largest quotient", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "the highest ratio" in formal writing?

Yes, "the highest ratio" is suitable for formal writing, especially in analytical or statistical contexts where precise comparisons are necessary. However, ensure the comparison is clearly defined and relevant.

What's the difference between "the highest ratio" and "the highest rate"?

While both indicate a maximum value, "the highest ratio" typically refers to a proportional relationship between two quantities, whereas "the highest rate" usually denotes a quantity measured over time or another variable. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the type of comparison being made.