the largest proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the largest proportion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the greatest amount or part of something in relation to other things. For example: "The largest proportion of our income is spent on food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For G.M., which has the largest proportion of retirees, health costs average $1,200 a vehicle.

The New York Times

And women, often oppressed in the largely rural society, voted in the largest proportion ever.

The New York Times

Poland has the largest proportion in the EU of working people on precarious contracts, around 30%.

The Guardian - Opinion

Santa Ana, nearby, has the largest proportion of Hispanics of any major city.

The New York Times

"At the moment Germany takes by far the largest proportion of Syrian asylum seekers and others.

The Guardian

There is a very sizable Christian population, the largest proportion of which is Roman Catholic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The service sector employs the largest proportion of the city's workforce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Underglaze-painted blue ware forms the largest proportion of the immense contemporary output of Royal Copenhagen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But by far the largest proportion believe it because that is what the adverts tell them.

The Economist

Of these latter sources, taxes, both income and value-added, constitute the largest proportion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Malabar had the largest proportion of slaves, about 15 percent of the total population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing proportions, ensure the context clearly defines the total from which the proportion is derived. For instance, specify "the largest proportion of students" rather than just "the largest proportion."

Common error

Avoid using "the largest proportion" without specifying the base. For example, instead of saying "unemployment is highest in the region", specify "unemployment represents the largest proportion of the population in this region who are without work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the largest proportion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the largest proportion" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something constitutes the greatest part of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the base from which the proportion is derived is clearly defined. Consider alternatives like "the majority" or "the greatest share" for nuanced expression. Be aware that this phrase is not suited for informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the greatest share

Replaces "proportion" with "share", emphasizing division or allocation.

the most significant portion

Emphasizes the importance and size of the piece.

the greatest percentage

More formal, focusing on numerical representation.

the biggest part

Uses more common language to denote the most significant section.

the largest segment

Implies division into sections, with one being the largest.

the majority

Indicates more than half, implying dominance.

the principal component

Suggests a key element that makes up the majority.

the bulk

Suggests the main mass or volume.

the predominant amount

Highlights the prevalence of a specific quantity.

the lion's share

An idiomatic expression implying the largest portion, often gained unfairly.

FAQs

What does "the largest proportion" mean?

The phrase "the largest proportion" refers to the greatest amount or percentage of something when compared to other parts of a whole. It indicates the most significant portion of a particular group or category.

How do I use "the largest proportion" in a sentence?

Use "the largest proportion" when you want to indicate that something constitutes the majority or the biggest part of a whole. For example, "The largest proportion of students in the class are from out of state."

What are some alternatives to "the largest proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "the majority", "the greatest share", or "the biggest part" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a largest proportion" instead of "the largest proportion"?

No, it is not correct. You should use "the largest proportion" because you are referring to a specific, maximal proportion within a defined set. Using "a" would imply there are multiple largest proportions, which is logically inconsistent.