lowest percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

"lowest percentage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing different percentages, such as in the following example: "The lowest percentage of voters supported the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The south-west has the lowest percentage.

The Guardian

This was the lowest percentage in two years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rural areas feature the lowest percentage of connected households.

The New York Times

That was the lowest percentage since the early 1990s.

The New York Times

That's the lowest percentage among the 24 large agencies surveyed.

The Washington Post

Still, this is the lowest percentage recorded since April 2011.

The Economist

The article says "Texas has the lowest percentage of workers without health insurance".

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley currently houses the lowest percentage of undergraduate students of any UC campus.

University of California, Berkeley

Overall, last year Princeton admitted 8.8percentt of its applicants -- the lowest percentage ever.

Princeton University

The state also has the lowest percentage of workers without health insurance.

University of California, Berkeley

Of all the host cities, Leipzig has among the lowest percentage of English speakers.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets, use "lowest percentage" to clearly identify the minimum value in a proportional context. Be precise by specifying the category or group to which the percentage applies.

Common error

Avoid using "lowest percentage" when you actually mean "lowest absolute number". Percentages reflect proportions, not necessarily raw counts. For instance, a group with the "lowest percentage" of smokers might still have more smokers than a smaller group with a higher percentage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lowest percentage" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses the smallest proportional value compared to other items within a defined set. Ludwig confirms that it's a common and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lowest percentage" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote the smallest proportional value within a set of data. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used and easily understood. Primarily found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, the phrase serves the purpose of comparing quantitative data and highlighting the minimum relative amount. When using this phrase, be sure to compare percentages within comparable groups and avoid confusing it with absolute numbers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimum proportion

Replaces "percentage" with "proportion", emphasizing the part relative to a whole, and "lowest" with "minimum" highlighting the absolute smallest value.

smallest fraction

Uses "fraction" instead of "percentage", indicating a part of a whole, and "smallest" instead of "lowest", pointing to the least amount.

least share

Substitutes "percentage" with "share", representing a portion of something divided, and "lowest" with "least", referring to the smallest quantity.

tiniest amount

Replaces "percentage" with "amount", focusing on quantity, and uses "tiniest" for emphasis on the extremely small.

minimal extent

Uses "extent" to describe the degree to which something reaches, and "minimal" to denote the least possible.

negligible quantity

Replaces "lowest percentage" with a phrase indicating a quantity so small it's practically insignificant.

bottom percentile

Uses statistical terminology to indicate the lowest range of values.

rock bottom rate

Emphasizes the extremely low nature of the rate using an idiomatic expression.

feeblest representation

Implies the smallest presence or depiction.

most reduced fraction

Highlights that the fraction has been simplified to its smallest form.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "lowest percentage" in a sentence?

Ensure you're comparing proportional values. For example: "This year, the department had the "lowest percentage" of budget overruns compared to other departments".

What's the difference between "lowest percentage" and "smallest number"?

"Lowest percentage" refers to a proportion relative to a whole, whereas "smallest number" refers to an absolute quantity. Don't use the two interchangeably.

Are there any synonyms for "lowest percentage"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "minimum proportion", "smallest fraction", or "least share".

When should I not use the phrase "lowest percentage"?

Avoid using "lowest percentage" when referring to absolute values or counts. Also, avoid using it when the comparison is unclear or lacks a specific reference group.