a big percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big percentage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant portion or share of a whole, often in contexts like statistics or surveys. Example: "A big percentage of the population supports the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I lost a big percentage of my investments".

The New York Times

"I understand that the gambling ads make up a big percentage of SEN, they make up a big percentage of the AFL," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Unix got a big percentage rise, simply because it's off a pretty low base last year".

The New York Times

"A big percentage of this business is replenishment," she said of the cosmetics category.

The New York Times - Tech

A big percentage of these managers are from the software industry.

The New York Times

The workforce, with a big percentage of women, launched an occupation.

The Guardian

And out of 80 or 90 pitches, that's not a big percentage.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's what a big percentage of our primary voters watch every day," he said in a recent interview.

The Washington Post

"If you're into September, you're going to lose a big percentage of your male viewers," Mr. Ebersol said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That plunge, of course, is why there was such a big percentage-point increase in fiscal year 2018 vs. 2017.

The Washington Post

A bigger percentage of gay men suffer from it.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big percentage", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the total from which the percentage is derived. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a big percentage" without specifying what the percentage refers to. Always provide the total or context to which the percentage relates to ensure the statement is meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big percentage" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a significant portion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big percentage" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a significant portion of a whole. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, with primary usage in the News & Media category. Alternatives such as "a large proportion" or "a significant portion" can be used for a more formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the total being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large proportion

Replaces "big" with "large", emphasizing the substantial size of the portion.

a significant portion

Substitutes "percentage" with "portion", highlighting the importance of the share.

a substantial fraction

Uses "fraction" instead of "percentage", suggesting a considerable part of a whole.

a considerable segment

Replaces "percentage" with "segment", focusing on a notable division.

a major part

Emphasizes the importance of the share, replacing "percentage" with "part".

a good share

Uses "share" to represent the portion, while "good" implies it's significant.

a notable amount

Shifts focus to the quantity, using "amount" instead of "percentage".

a sizable chunk

Uses "chunk" to indicate a considerable portion, often used informally.

a vast quantity

Focuses on the extensive amount, changing "percentage" to "quantity".

the lion's share

Implies the largest portion, adding an idiomatic expression.

FAQs

How can I use "a big percentage" in a sentence?

Use "a big percentage" to describe a significant portion of a whole, such as "A big percentage of the students passed the exam".

What's a more formal alternative to "a big percentage"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a large proportion" or "a significant portion" instead.

Is it better to say "a large percentage" or "a big percentage"?

Both "a large percentage" and "a big percentage" are acceptable, but "a large percentage" often sounds more formal and professional.

What does "a big percentage" imply about the overall quantity?

"A big percentage" implies that the portion being discussed is substantial and noteworthy in relation to the whole. It suggests that it is more than just a minor or negligible amount.