Percentage vs. Percentages – Which is Correct?
The words percentage and percentages are both grammatically correct and widely used in American English. The choice between them depends entirely on whether you are referring to a single proportion or multiple distinct proportions. “Percentage” is a singular noun, while “percentages” is its plural form, used to denote several different rates or parts of a whole.
Percentage or Percentages – Which is Correct?
Both “percentage” and “percentages” are correct and serve distinct grammatical functions. The key difference lies in number: “percentage” is a singular noun, referring to a single part or proportion of a whole, often expressed as a fraction of 100. “Percentages” is the plural form, used when discussing multiple, distinct proportions or rates. To decide which to use, consider if you are talking about one specific rate or several different rates.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Noun (singular) | A rate, number, or amount in each hundred; a proportion or share of a whole. | A small percentage of students failed the exam. |
| Percentages | Noun (plural) | Multiple rates, numbers, or amounts in each hundred; several proportions or shares of a whole. | The survey revealed varying success percentages across different age groups. |
How to Use Percentage
“Percentage” is used when referring to a single rate, proportion, or share of a whole. It often implies a collective or general sense of proportion rather than individual distinct rates. It can also refer to a portion of something, even if that something is plural, as long as it’s being considered as a single proportional unit.
Example 1: What percentage of the population uses public transport daily?
Example 2: A high percentage of the company’s profits comes from international sales.
Example 3: Even a small percentage increase in interest rates can significantly impact mortgage payments.
What are the different forms of Percentage?
The primary form of “percentage” is its singular noun use. Its plural form is “percentages,” which is discussed in the next section. There are no other common grammatical forms like verb tenses or adjectival forms for the word itself, though “percent” functions as an adjective or adverb when used with a number (e.g., “50 percent increase”).
While “percentage” and “percentages” are nouns, it’s also useful to know the difference between ‘per cent’ and ‘percent’ for accurate usage.
Etymology of the word Percentage
The word “percentage” entered English in the late 16th century, derived from “percent” (from Latin per centum, meaning “by the hundred”) and the suffix “-age,” which denotes a collection, aggregate, or rate. It literally means “a rate by the hundred” or “a proportion reckoned by the hundred.”
How to Use Percentages
“Percentages” is the plural form of “percentage” and is used when you are referring to more than one distinct rate, proportion, or share. This often occurs when comparing different rates, discussing results from multiple categories, or analyzing data sets that yield several separate proportional figures.
Example 1: The report compared the unemployment percentages in various European countries.
Example 2: We need to look at the sales percentages for each quarter to identify trends.
Example 3: Different food items have different fat percentages, which is important for dietary planning.
What are the different forms of Percentages?
“Percentages” is already the plural form of the noun “percentage.” There are no other distinct grammatical forms beyond its use as a plural noun. It always requires a plural verb (e.g., “the percentages show,” not “the percentages shows“).
Etymology of the word Percentages
The etymology of “percentages” directly follows that of “percentage.” As the plural form, its origin is rooted in the Latin per centum (“by the hundred”) combined with the English suffix “-age,” with the addition of the plural marker “-s” indicating multiple instances of such rates or proportions.
Related Concepts
Understanding the distinction between “percentage” and “percentages” often involves grasping the concept of subject-verb agreement, particularly with collective nouns or phrases of quantity. When “percentage” is used with “of” (e.g., “a percentage of the students”), the verb agreement can sometimes be tricky. If the “of” phrase refers to a singular non-count noun, the verb is usually singular (“a percentage of the water is polluted”). If it refers to a plural count noun, the verb is often plural (“a percentage of the students are absent”). However, “percentage” itself, when used as the subject without an “of” phrase, is singular and takes a singular verb, while “percentages” always takes a plural verb.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “Only a small percentage of the population ever achieves true financial independence.” – Dave Ramsey
- “The success of a project is not measured by the number of hours worked, but by the percentage of goals achieved.” – Unknown
- “Comparing the approval percentages across different polls can reveal a clearer picture of public sentiment.” – News analysis
- “Government documents often present economic data through various growth percentages.” – Academic text
- “The professor noted that the pass percentage for this year’s final exam was significantly higher than last year’s.” – Fictional novel
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
- The company reported a significant ______ increase in sales this quarter.
- Analysts are comparing the profit ______ from different sectors of the economy.
- What ______ of your income do you save each month?
- The teacher presented the test scores as individual ______ to the class.
- Only a small ______ of the total budget was allocated to marketing.
Answer Key
- percentage
- percentages
- percentage
- percentages
- percentage
Percentage Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Proportion | A part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole. |
| Rate | A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against another quantity or measure. |
| Share | A part or portion of a larger amount which is divided among a number of people, or to which a number of people contribute. |
| Fraction | A small or tiny part, amount, or proportion of something. |
| Ratio | The quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Can “percentage” be used with a plural verb?
Answer: Sometimes. When “percentage” is followed by “of” and refers to a plural noun, the verb can be plural (e.g., “A large percentage of the voters are undecided.”). However, when “percentage” itself is the subject, it typically takes a singular verb (e.g., “The percentage is high.”).
Question 2: Is “percent” the same as “percentage”?
Answer: Not exactly. “Percent” (or “%”) is used with a number (e.g., “50 percent,” “10%”). “Percentage” is a noun referring to the general concept of a part of a whole expressed in hundredths, without a specific number attached (e.g., “a high percentage”).
Question 3: When should I definitely use “percentages” instead of “percentage”?
Answer: Use “percentages” when you are comparing or referring to multiple distinct rates or proportions. For example, if you’re talking about “the percentages of growth in different industries” or “the varying percentages of ingredients in a recipe.”
Conclusion
The distinction between “percentage” and “percentages” boils down to singular versus plural. “Percentage” refers to a single proportion or rate, while “percentages” denotes multiple, distinct rates or proportions. Both are correct and essential for precise communication in English. Understanding this difference ensures clarity, especially in academic, professional, and data-driven contexts.
Pro Tip: Always consider the number of proportions you are discussing. If it’s one general proportion, use “percentage.” If it’s several specific, separate proportions, use “percentages.” Correct usage enhances your credibility and the clarity of your message.
