What’s the difference between percent and percentage? I was working on a help topic today and was stumped because I couldn’t figure out which word to use. After consulting with a colleague and searching the web for answers, this is what I’ve learned.
From Merriam-Webster Online:
percent:
1: plural percent a : one part in a hundred b : PERCENTAGE (a large percent of his income)percentage
1 a : a part of a whole expressed in hundredths b : the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent
2 a : a share of winnings or profits b : ADVANTAGE, PROFIT (no percentage in going around looking like an old sack of laundry — Wallace Stegner)
3 : an indeterminate part : PROPORTION
4 a : PROBABILITY b : favorable odds
Conclusion:
Use the word “percent” with numbers; use “percentage” without using a number.
Examples:
- What percentage of people in the U.S. have college education?
- Ten percent of high school students drop out of school.
- A large percentage of retirees live in Florida.
- Over 50 percent of my income goes towards paying rent.
- My stock portfolio increased by a significant percentage.
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