what proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking a question about how much of a certain thing is part of a whole. For example, "What proportion of the population voted for the measure?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what proportion?

The Economist

What proportion of people are Christian?

Independent

What proportion will come from spending cuts?

The Guardian

What proportion are actually UK based?

The Guardian

What proportion of the "suspicious" activities uncovered are actually useful?

The New York Times

What proportion of people ask for their money back?

The Guardian

What proportion of the time should each family drive?

The New York Times - Magazine

Wonder what proportion of HTC components now come from Samsung.

The Guardian - Tech

Q: What proportion of shifts did you deliver?

The Guardian

What proportion do the demonstrators say they represent?

The Guardian

What proportion of the sugar is fructose in the product?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what proportion", ensure that you clearly define the total amount or group from which the proportion is being calculated to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what proportion" without specifying what the proportion is of. For example, instead of asking "What proportion is affected?", specify "What proportion of the population is affected by the new policy?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what proportion" functions as an interrogative determiner used to inquire about the relative size or amount of a part in relation to a whole. Ludwig provides examples that highlight its use in diverse contexts, from market share to resource allocation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what proportion" is an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the relative amount of something compared to a whole. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, as shown by numerous examples across diverse fields like news, science, and business. When using "what proportion", it's crucial to specify the total amount or group being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "what percentage" and "what fraction", each subtly altering the emphasis or context. Remember, clarity is key to effectively conveying your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what percentage

Replaces 'proportion' with 'percentage', offering a more specific numerical quantification.

what fraction

Uses 'fraction' instead of 'proportion', implying a part of a whole, often in mathematical contexts.

what amount

Substitutes 'proportion' with 'amount', referring to a quantity or measure of something.

what share

Employs 'share' to indicate a part or portion that belongs to someone or something.

what part

Replaces 'proportion' with 'part', suggesting a component of a larger entity.

what ratio

Uses 'ratio' instead of 'proportion', indicating a quantitative relation between two amounts.

to what extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope to which something is true or present.

what quantity

Employs 'quantity' to inquire about the amount or number of something.

how much

Simplifies the question to a more direct inquiry about the amount or quantity.

what degree

Focuses on the level or intensity of something rather than a strict proportion.

FAQs

How do you use "what proportion" in a sentence?

The phrase "what proportion" is typically used to ask about the relative amount of something compared to a whole. For example, "What proportion of students passed the exam?" or "What proportion of the budget is allocated to marketing?"

What are some alternatives to using "what proportion"?

Alternatives to "what proportion" include "what percentage", "what fraction", "what share", or "to what extent", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "what proportion" or "what percentage"?

Both "what proportion" and "what percentage" are grammatically correct, but "what percentage" is often preferred when you're looking for a specific numerical value out of 100. "What proportion" is more general and can refer to any relative amount.

What is the difference between "what proportion" and "what amount"?

"What proportion" implies a part relative to a whole, whereas "what amount" refers to a quantity or measure without necessarily relating it to a total. For example, "What proportion of the water is polluted?" vs. "What amount of water is needed for the experiment?"