"proportion of" vs "proportion between"

Question

"proportion of" vs "proportion between"

Both 'proportion of' and 'proportion between' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Proportion of' is used when referring to a part of a whole or a ratio within a single entity, while 'proportion between' is used when comparing two or more entities or elements.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

Use 'proportion of' when referring to a part of a whole or a ratio within a single entity. For example, 'The proportion of men to women in the room is 2:1.'

Examples:

The proportion of students who passed the exam is 80%.
What is the proportion of blue cars to red cars in the parking lot?
The proportion of sugar in the recipe is crucial for the taste.
She calculated the proportion of income spent on rent.
The proportion of children with allergies is increasing.

Alternatives:

percentage of
ratio of
fraction of
share of
part of

Use 'proportion between' when comparing two or more entities or elements. For example, 'The proportion between income and expenses is important for budgeting.'

Examples:

The proportion between supply and demand affects prices.
There is a clear proportion between effort and success.
The proportion between teacher and student numbers is ideal.
Understanding the proportion between risk and reward is crucial in investing.
The proportion between theory and practice should be balanced.

Alternatives:

relationship between
comparison between
correlation between
link between
connection between

Answer 1

proportion of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

proportion between

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"proportion of" vs "proportion between"

proportion of

proportion between

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