lower percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

"lower percentage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has decreased in size or amount relative to the original or expected. Example: The new tax bill resulted in a lower percentage of profits for small businesses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The clubs had wanted a lower percentage as the threshold.

The New York Times - Sports

(We rejected a lower percentage of white applicants).

The New York Times

A lower percentage -- 40percentt -- say he is being truthful.

The Washington Post

A slightly lower percentage, 42percentt, said illegally.

The Washington Post

However, he has completed a lower percentage of his passes this season (57.1percentt) — Jones also has completed a lower percentage of his passes this season (55.5percentt).

The Washington Post

That lower percentage could pressure the union to settle, some Yale officials said.

The New York Times

The only group with a lower percentage passing the reading test was eighth graders.

The New York Times

The main reason is that a far lower percentage of home-health aide are unionized.

The New York Times

Boards which appoint interim CEOs have fewer directorships, shorter tenure and lower percentage of outside directors.

Harvard University

Uber claims that a far lower percentage of its rush-hour trips begin on the island.

The Guardian - Tech

"So far in 2008, an even lower percentage of officers were disciplined".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets, use "lower percentage" to clearly indicate a reduction relative to a previous value or another group. Provide context by specifying what the percentage refers to, enhancing clarity and preventing misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "lower percentage" automatically implies a significant difference without statistical testing. Ensure proper statistical analysis to validate the importance of the observed difference, preventing unfounded conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower percentage" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied) to indicate that something has a smaller proportion relative to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lower percentage" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative term used to denote a reduced proportion or rate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase that is very common and suitable for various contexts, particularly in the realms of news, science, and academia. Usage patterns indicate that it's prevalent in news and media, scientific reports, and academic papers, indicating its broad applicability. When using "lower percentage", ensure clarity by providing adequate context to prevent misinterpretations. While widely accepted, remember that statistical significance should always be verified to avoid drawing unsubstantiated conclusions. Considering the nuances and alternatives provided, such as "smaller proportion" or "reduced rate", can further refine your writing. Overall, "lower percentage" remains a reliable and effective means of conveying comparative data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Smaller proportion

Emphasizes a reduction in the relative amount or share.

Reduced rate

Highlights a decrease in the frequency or speed of something.

Diminished fraction

Focuses on the reduced numerical representation of a part of a whole.

Lesser share

Implies a smaller allocation or part of something divided.

Decreased incidence

Refers to a decline in the occurrence of a particular event or phenomenon.

Lower incidence

Similar to 'decreased incidence', focusing on the frequency of something occurring

Weaker presence

Suggests a less significant or prominent role or existence.

Lesser extent

Indicates a reduced degree or scope of something.

Reduced representation

Emphasizes a smaller or diminished portrayal or depiction.

Inferior ratio

Highlights a less favorable comparison between two quantities.

FAQs

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

You can use "lower percentage" to compare proportions. For example, "The study found a "lower percentage" of students passed the exam this year compared to last year".

What is a good alternative to "lower percentage"?

Alternatives include "smaller proportion", "reduced rate", or "diminished fraction" depending on the specific context.

Is it always correct to assume a "lower percentage" means something is worse?

Not necessarily. A "lower percentage" could be desirable depending on what is being measured. For example, a "lower percentage" of defects in manufacturing is a positive outcome.

What does a statistically significant "lower percentage" indicate?

A statistically significant "lower percentage" indicates that the observed difference is unlikely to have occurred by random chance, suggesting a real effect or relationship.