the percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the percentage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to describe a portion or proportion of a given whole. For example: "The percentage of people who attended the event was surprisingly low."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What was the percentage play?

The New York Times

The percentage probability is 41 percent.

The New York Times

WHAT was the percentage in 1996?

The New York Times

I don't know exactly the percentage.

The New York Times

Breakdown of the percentage of the undecided.

The New Yorker

The percentage was 53.4 percent last season.

The New York Times - Sports

It is contingent on the percentage".

The New York Times

In 2007 the percentage was 21.5.

The New York Times

Yes, whatever the percentage of the makeup.

The New York Times

I think that's the percentage play.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The percentage drops slightly as time evolves.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting statistical data, always specify the base number or total from which "the percentage" is derived to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "the percentage" interchangeably with percentage points or percent change. Percentage points refer to the arithmetic difference between two percentages, while percent change refers to the relative change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the percentage" functions primarily as a noun phrase that refers to a proportion, share, or rate expressed as a part of 100. Ludwig examples show its use in reporting statistical data and describing relative quantities. The AI indicates that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the percentage" is a noun phrase used to express a proportion or share as a part of a whole, typically in relation to 100. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business communications. The phrase is used to quantify, compare, and analyze relative quantities. When using "the percentage", clarity and context are important, especially when distinguishing it from related concepts like percentage points or percent change. Consider alternative phrases like "the proportion" or "the share" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the proportion

Emphasizes the relative amount compared to the whole.

the fraction

Highlights the numerical ratio representing a part of a whole.

the rate

Focuses on the measure, quantity, or frequency, typically measured against another quantity or measure.

the share

Implies a portion or allotment of something.

the ratio

Refers to the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.

the incidence

Describes the occurrence or frequency of something, especially undesirable.

the prevalence

Refers to the commonness or widespread nature of something within a population or group.

the extent

Indicates the degree or scope to which something is the case.

the amount

Refers to a quantity of something.

the level

Denotes the degree or standard of something.

FAQs

How do you use "the percentage" in a sentence?

Use "the percentage" to refer to a proportion of a whole, for example: "The percentage of students attending the lecture was high."

What is a good substitute for "the percentage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the proportion", "the share", or "the rate".

Is it better to use "percentage" or "percent"?

Both "percentage" and "percent" are correct, but "percentage" is a noun (e.g., "the percentage of students") while "percent" is often used with a number (e.g., "20 percent of students").

How does "the percentage" differ from "percentile"?

"The percentage" refers to a part of a whole expressed in hundredths, while "percentile" refers to a value below which a given percentage of observations in a group of observations falls.