to what proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to what proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the extent or degree to which something is true or applicable. Example: "To what proportion do you believe the new policy will affect employee productivity?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Precise calculations as to what proportion of Harris teachers leave each year are difficult.

The Guardian

For example, higher education staff are quizzed as to what proportion of campuses restrict the right to free speech.

The Guardian

This simplistic analysis is most apparent in climate finance discussions in which an arbitrary figure of $100bn is said to be required to help developing countries adapt to and mitigate climate change, to come from private and public sources, but with no indication as to what proportion would come from each.

The Guardian

However, there is still some uncertainty as to what proportion of the variation can be attributed to the environment and tree-location accuracy for Stands 3 and 4.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Estimates as to what proportion of the female population is able to squirt vary depending on what definition of squirting is used.

Vice

There are no empirical clues as to what proportion of patients will have their outcome postponed.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But the question that remains is, to what proportions?

Astrobiology

They have yet to check to see what proportion of those forms have been completely filled out.

The New York Times

The bureau has not published data to show what proportion belongs to Chinese interests.

The Guardian

Mr Cameron announced that new laws will be brought in to force universities to disclose what proportion of ethnic minority applicants get places and in what subjects.

Independent

Contact with a ball was a frequent mechanism of injury in soccer; however, we are unable to state what proportion were attempts to head the ball and what proportion were completely unintentional ball contacts to the head.

Injury Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to what proportion", ensure that the context clearly defines the whole being divided. For example, "To what proportion of the budget should we allocate to marketing?"

Common error

Avoid using "to what proportion" when you intend to ask about the general degree or scope of something. Use "to what extent" instead when a specific proportional relationship isn't relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to what proportion" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It is used to introduce a question concerning the relative amount or percentage of something in relation to a whole, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to what proportion" serves as a formal inquiry into the fractional or percentage-based relationship between a part and a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while also highlighting its relatively uncommon usage compared to alternatives like "to what extent". Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it suits scenarios demanding precise quantification, as showcased in scientific journals and reputable news sources. When clarity regarding numerical relationships is paramount, "to what proportion" offers a valuable tool for framing targeted questions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to what extent

Focuses on the degree or magnitude of something, similar to proportion but more general.

to what degree

Similar to extent, but emphasizes the level or intensity.

to what amount

Emphasizes the quantity or sum of something.

to what percentage

More specific, focusing on a numerical representation of proportion.

to what share

Highlights the portion or allocation of something.

to what fraction

Similar to percentage, but using a different mathematical representation.

to what level

Focuses on a specific point on a scale or hierarchy.

in what ratio

Emphasizes the relative size of two or more quantities.

to what measure

Focuses on the amount or degree of something, often used in a more formal context.

how much

A simpler and more direct way of asking about the quantity or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "to what proportion" in a sentence?

Use "to what proportion" to inquire about the relative amount or percentage of something within a whole. For example: "To what proportion of the population does this apply?"

What is a synonym for "to what proportion"?

A close synonym for "to what proportion" is "to what extent", which inquires about the degree to which something is true or applicable.

When is it best to use "to what proportion" over "to what extent"?

"To what proportion" is most suitable when you're specifically interested in a fractional or percentage-based relationship, while "to what extent" is better for broader inquiries about degree or impact.

Is "to what proportion" formal or informal?

"To what proportion" is generally considered formal and suitable for academic, scientific, or professional contexts. Simpler alternatives like "how much" may be preferred in informal settings.