big percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big percentage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a large portion or proportion of something, or a large rate of increase or decrease. For example, "Sales for the quarter decreased by a big percentage compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

There were big percentage rises in applications at some private institutions with degree-awarding powers.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

A very big percentage of what the city spends is on its labor force".

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

She also declared that "a pretty big percentage of models are stupid".

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "big percentage", ensure the context clearly defines the whole to which the percentage relates. For instance, instead of saying "A big percentage of students failed", specify "A big percentage of students in the class failed the exam."

Common error

Be careful when comparing percentage increases from different baselines. A "big percentage" increase from a small initial value might still represent a smaller absolute change than a smaller percentage increase from a larger initial value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big percentage" functions as a quantifier, indicating a large proportion of something. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase effectively describes a substantial portion or proportion, as highlighted in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big percentage" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant portion or proportion. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using "big percentage", ensure clarity by specifying the whole to which the percentage relates. Alternatives such as "large proportion" or "significant portion" can be used to achieve a similar effect, offering slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large proportion

Focuses on the relative size of a part compared to the whole, similar to "big percentage".

significant portion

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the part being considered.

substantial fraction

Highlights that a considerable amount of the total is being referred to.

considerable segment

Refers to a notable section or division of something.

major share

Implies the largest part or quantity.

high proportion

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the degree to which a part relates to the whole.

appreciable amount

Highlights the fact that a certain quantity of something is substantial enough to be noticed.

noticeable quantity

Emphasizes that something is present in such amount that is easily observed.

dominant portion

Stresses the prevailing nature of the piece when contrasted to others.

lion's share

Refers to the largest part of something, often more than half.

FAQs

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

You can use "big percentage" to describe a significant portion of something. For example, "A "big percentage" of the population supports the new policy."

What can I say instead of "big percentage"?

You can use alternatives like "large proportion", "significant portion", or "substantial fraction depending on the context".

Is it more accurate to say "high percentage" or "big percentage"?

Both "high percentage" and "big percentage" are acceptable. "High percentage" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the choice depends on the desired tone.

What is the difference between "big percentage" and "majority"?

"Big percentage" implies a notable portion, while "majority" typically means more than 50%. A ""big percentage"" could be less than 50%, whereas a majority always represents more than half.