percentage against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "percentage against" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express the comparison of a given value against some other value. Example sentence: Overall, we have seen a 48% increase in sales volume against the same period in the previous year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Niemi's save percentage against San Jose was.949.949

The New York Times - Sports

Left-handed hitters had a.381 on-base percentage against him last season.

The New York Times - Sports

In Johnson's first nine starts, teams compiled a.268 slugging percentage against him.

The New York Times - Sports

Rey Ordonez even had a higher slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers.

The New York Times - Sports

Head-to-head results, divisional games and won-loss percentage against common opponents are used first.

The New York Times

Jones tallied a.384 on-base percentage against left-handed pitchers last season compared to a.303 on-base percentage against right-handed pitchers.

The New York Times

From 1982 through 2006, the league had a.453 winning percentage against outside opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

Number to Watch 64.8 Brees's career completion percentage against the Giants.

The New York Times

His on-base percentage against right-handers is.305, and it is.348 against left-handers.

The New York Times - Sports

His career on-base plus slugging percentage against left-handed pitching is.845.845

The New York Times

He had more at-bats against them (155, compared with 102 against lefties) and entered last night batting.323 with a.458 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers and a.235 average with a.382 slugging percentage against lefties.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "percentage against", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "percentage against" when you actually mean "percentage increase/decrease compared to". The phrase implies a direct opposition or competition, not just a change in value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "percentage against" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, often expressing a comparative relationship. It specifies a rate or proportion in opposition to or in comparison with something else. Ludwig AI confirms this construction is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "percentage against" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express a comparative relationship between two entities, often in contexts of opposition or competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and its function to quantify comparisons, as seen in the provided examples. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources, making it suitable for neutral to formal registers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining what is being compared to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

percentage compared to

Focuses on direct numerical comparison rather than opposition.

success rate versus

Highlights the success rate in relation to a specific opposing factor.

rate in comparison with

Emphasizes rate as a proportion rather than a competitive context.

proportion relative to

Indicates a proportion considered in relation to a reference point.

efficacy compared with

Specifically used when measuring the effectiveness of something against something else.

ratio in contrast to

Highlights the ratio specifically when highlighting a contrasting relationship.

winning percentage versus

Specifically used in sports contexts to denote the winning performance of a team against another.

percentage when facing

Focuses on scenarios or situations one is "facing" instead of being "against".

percentage when opposing

Highlights opposition and is frequently used in scenarios with opposing factors.

rate when matched with

Indicates the rate when two things are matched together.

FAQs

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

Use "percentage against" to compare a proportion or rate to something it is opposed to or competing with. For example, "The team's winning "percentage against" top-ranked teams is surprisingly high".

What does "percentage against" mean?

The phrase "percentage against" means the proportion or rate measured in comparison to something acting as an opponent or reference point. It quantifies success, effectiveness, or impact relative to another entity.

Which is correct, "percentage against" or "percentage compared to"?

Both phrases are correct but convey different meanings. "Percentage against" implies opposition or competition, while "percentage compared to" suggests a general comparison without implying direct conflict.

Can I use "percentage against" in formal writing?

Yes, "percentage against" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts where you are comparing performance or statistics in a competitive or opposing scenario. Ensure the context clearly indicates the opposition.