per cent

USAGE SUMMARY

"per cent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when expressing a percentage of a whole, for example, "Thirty per cent of the apples were rotten."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Ninety-nine Per Cent.

The New Yorker

Archives|20 PER CENT.

The New York Times

Replaces 5 Per Cent.

The New York Times

Archives|31 PER CENT.

The New York Times

Archives|12 PER CENT.

The New York Times

50 per cent?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

cost, 40 per cent.

Independent

Twenty percent?

The New York Times

A 5percentnt.

Cornell University

Three-hundred-per-cent growth!

The New Yorker

Just 16 percent disagreed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal audience, consistently use either "per cent" or "percent" throughout your document for professional appearance. Choose the one that best suits your audience and stick to it.

Common error

Avoid mixing "per cent" with "percent" in the same document. Inconsistent spelling can detract from your writing's credibility. Choose one form and use it consistently.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "per cent" is as a quantifier, specifying a proportion relative to a hundred. Ludwig's examples show it modifying numerical values to express a rate or share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "per cent" is a versatile and commonly used quantifier to express proportions. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and Ludwig examples indicate a wide range of applications across various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. While the variant "percent" is also acceptable, maintaining consistency in your writing is essential. "Per cent" is more frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific domains. Always use a number before "per cent", as in "50 per cent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

percent

A shortened, more common variant of the phrase "per cent".

percentage

This is a more formal synonym referring to a proportion multiplied by 100.

in every hundred

This is a descriptive phrase that explains the meaning of "per cent" in simpler terms.

out of 100

Similar to 'in every hundred', this phrase clarifies the basis of the percentage.

proportion

This term refers to the relative quantity of something to the whole.

rate

This implies a ratio or quantity measured with respect to another quantity, often time.

share

This term indicates a part or portion belonging to or contributed by a person or group.

fraction

This is a numerical quantity that is not a whole number.

ratio

This term represents the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.

basis points

This term is often used in finance to describe small percentage changes.

FAQs

What is the difference between "per cent" and "percent"?

"Per cent" is the original form, while "percent" is a later Americanized variation. Both are widely accepted, but consistency within a document is crucial.

How do I use "per cent" in a sentence?

Use "per cent" after a numerical value to indicate a proportion out of one hundred. For example, "Eighty "per cent" of the students passed the exam."

What can I say instead of "per cent"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "percentage", "proportion", or "rate".

Is it grammatically correct to use "per cent"?

Yes, the expression "per cent" is grammatically correct and widely used in English writing. Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness.