"proportion" vs "proportions"

Question

"proportion" vs "proportions"

Both 'proportion' and 'proportions' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Proportion' is singular and refers to a part or share of a whole, while 'proportions' is plural and refers to the size, extent, or importance of something.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

Use 'proportion' when referring to a single part or share of a whole. For example, 'The proportion of men to women in the room was equal.'

Examples:

The proportion of students who passed the exam was high.
She ate a large proportion of the cake.
What proportion of the budget is allocated to marketing?
The proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing.
We need to consider the proportion of each ingredient in the recipe.

Alternatives:

ratio
percentage
fraction
share
part

Use 'proportions' when referring to multiple sizes, extents, or importance of things. For example, 'The proportions of the building were impressive.'

Examples:

The proportions of the painting were perfect.
The project grew beyond our initial proportions.
The dress was tailored to fit her proportions.
The architect carefully considered the proportions of the building.
The recipe called for specific proportions of each ingredient.

Alternatives:

dimensions
sizes
magnitudes
scales
ratios

Answer 1

proportion

This is correct. 'Proportion' is singular and refers to a part or share of a whole.

Answer 2

proportions

This is correct. 'Proportions' is plural and refers to the size, extent, or importance of something.

"proportion" vs "proportions"

proportion

proportions

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