Cool MateProportion vs Share
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Proportion
Share
| Proportion | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/prəˈpɔːʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prəˈpɔːrʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A part or share of something in relation to the whole. | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. |
| Example | The proportion of students passing the exam increased this year. | I will share my toys with my friends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| Collocations | appreciable, considerable, good, calculate, estimate, express something as, grow, increase, rise, correct, direct, inverse, keep something in, in proportion (to), out of proportion (to), proportion of something to something, be blown, exaggerated, etc. out of all proportion, be blown, exaggerated, etc. out of proportion, a sense of proportion, correct, direct, inverse, keep something in, in proportion (to), out of proportion (to), proportion of something to something, be blown, exaggerated, etc. out of all proportion, be blown, exaggerated, etc. out of proportion, a sense of proportion, biblical, enormous, epic, reach | fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared |
| Antonyms | disproportion, inequality | hoard, keep, withhold |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'portion', which refers to a part of something, but not in a comparative sense., Using 'proportion' in the plural form incorrectly; it is usually uncountable., Mixing up 'proportion' and 'proportional', which has a different grammatical function. | Using 'share' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will share' instead of 'I will share my lunch'), Confusing 'share' with 'sharpen', Incorrectly using 'share' as a noun rather than a verb (e.g., saying 'the share of the book' instead of 'the sharing of the book') |
| Usage notes | Use 'proportion' to discuss ratios or relationships between different amounts. Often appropriate in mathematics, statistics, and discussions about fairness. Avoid in casual conversation when not discussing specific comparisons. | Use 'share' when talking about dividing resources or experiences. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. |
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Frequently asked questions: Proportion vs Share
What's the difference between Proportion and Share?
Proportion: A part or share of something in relation to the whole. Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have.
Which is more common: Proportion and Share?
Share is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Proportion and Share?
Proportion is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Proportion and Share the same CEFR level?
Proportion: B2, Share: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Proportion and Share?
Proportion: noun, Share: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Proportion: The proportion of students passing the exam increased this year. Share: I will share my toys with my friends.
Can I use Proportion and Share interchangeably?
Not always. Proportion and Share are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.