What is percentage? Pronunciation and usage in English

percentage means . Learn how to pronounce and use percentage through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of percentage

percentagenoun

/pəˈsɛntɪdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of percentage

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "percentage" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllable by Syllable:

  • Per - Pronounced like "per" in "perfume" or "permit." Short and sharp.
  • cen - Pronounced like "seen" (as in "I see you").
  • tage - This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "tahj" (rhymes with "Taj Mahal"). The emphasis is on the second syllable.

2. Putting it together:

The whole word is pronounced: PER-sen-TAHJ

3. Stress:

The primary stress (the loudest syllable) is on the second syllable: PER-sen-TAHJ.

4. Sounds to focus on:

  • "cent": Make sure it’s a clear "seen" sound, not "sent."
  • "tage": This is the biggest hurdle. Practice saying “tahj” and really focus on that vowel sound. It's almost like you're saying "Taj Mahal".

Resources to Hear It:

  • Google Translate: Type "percentage" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. It will pronounce it for you.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/percentage/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.

Tips for Practice:

  • Slow it down: Don't try to say it quickly at first. Focus on getting each syllable right.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "percentage" and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.
  • Listen repeatedly: Listen to several different pronunciations to get a feel for the word.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some example sentences using "percentage"?

Usage and examples with the word percentage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "percentage" in English. It's a really common and useful word!

1. What is a Percentage?

  • Definition: A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. It's written with the symbol "%".
  • Example: 50% means 50 out of 100.

2. How to Use "Percentage" in Sentences

Here's a breakdown of how to use "percentage" in various contexts:

  • Describing Ratios and Fractions:

    • "The percentage of students who passed the exam was 85%." (This means 85 out of 100 students passed.)
    • "This shirt is 30% cotton." (This means 30% of the shirt's material is cotton.)
    • "The percentage increase in sales was significant."

  • Calculating Percentages:

    • Finding a Percentage of a Number: You use the formula: (Part / Whole) * 100 = Percentage
      • "What is 20% of 80?" (20/100 * 80 = 16) Therefore, 20% of 80 is 16.
    • Calculating Percentage Increase/Decrease:
      • Increase: (New Value - Original Value) / Original Value * 100 = Percentage Increase
      • Decrease: (Original Value - New Value) / Original Value * 100 = Percentage Decrease
      • "The price increased by 10%."
      • "The population decreased by 5%."

  • Expressing Possibilities and Probabilities:

    • "There's a 90% chance of rain tomorrow." (90% probability of rain)
    • "He has a 100% chance of winning." (Almost certain he will win)

  • Describing Statistics:

    • "The average score on the test was 78%, with a standard deviation of 10%."
    • "Sales figures increased by 2% last quarter."

3. Common Phrases Using "Percentage"

  • "Percentage points": Used to describe the difference between two percentages.

    • "The unemployment rate increased by 2 percentage points." (Means it went up by 2%)

  • "Percentage basis": Often used in finance and business.

    • "The interest rate is set at a 3% percentage basis."

  • "Above/Below Percentage":

    • “The temperature is above the 90th percentile." (Meaning it’s higher than most other temperatures recorded.)
    • “Sales were below the projected percentage.”

4. Tips for Using "Percentage" Correctly

  • Always include the "%" symbol. Don't just say "85". Say "85%".
  • Understand the meaning: Make sure you understand what the percentage represents. Is it a fraction of 100, a ratio, or a probability?
  • Context is key: The way you use "percentage" depends on the situation.

Example Sentences to Practice:

  • "About 60% of the world's population lives in Asia."
  • "The discount is 25%, so the final price is lower."
  • "The company's profit margin is approximately 12%."
  • "She scored 95% on her final exam."
  • "A small percentage of the population is affected by this rare disease."

Resources for Further Learning:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more specific examples?
  • Focus on calculating percentages?
  • Explain how percentages are used in a particular field (e.g., finance, science)?

Synonyms for the word percentage

Practice with vocabulary percentage

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The latest survey indicates that a significant ______ of the population prefers online shopping.
  2. The company aims to achieve a high success ______ in its new marketing campaign.
  3. Despite initial projections, the actual profit ______ for the quarter was lower than expected.
  4. Only a small ______ of employees chose to participate in the voluntary training program.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Choose ALL correct options that fit the blank meaningfully and grammatically.

  1. The latest market analysis showed that the ______ of consumers who prefer sustainable products is growing rapidly. a) percentage b) proportion c) fraction d) aggregate

  2. The meteorologist predicted a high ______ of rain for the upcoming weekend. a) amount b) chance c) forecast d) likelihood

  3. The company proudly announced a significant ______ of its workforce now telecommutes, resulting in a reduced environmental impact. a) segment b) portion c) percentage d) share

  4. The CEO emphasized the critical need to increase the ______ of sales in emerging markets. a) volume b) quantity c) value d) amount

  5. When analyzing the effectiveness of the new drug, scientists examined the ______ of patients who showed improvement compared to the control group. a) percentile b) percentage c) frequency d) incidence

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Over half of the customers surveyed expressed satisfaction with the new service. Rewrite (using 'percentage' or related forms):

  2. Original: A small part of the budget was allocated to unexpected expenses. Rewrite (not using 'percentage' or related forms):

  3. Original: The number of students attending the workshop this year is significantly lower than last year. Rewrite (using 'percentage' or related forms):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. percentage
  2. rate
  3. percentage
  4. proportion

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) percentage, b) proportion, c) fraction
  2. b) chance, d) likelihood
  3. a) segment, b) portion, c) percentage, d) share
  4. a) volume, b) quantity, c) value, d) amount
  5. b) percentage

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: More than 50 percent of the customers surveyed expressed satisfaction with the new service.
  2. Rewrite: A small portion of the budget was allocated to unexpected expenses.
  3. Rewrite: There was a significant drop in the percentage of students attending the workshop this year compared to last year.

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