What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
percentage
Example
The percentage of students who passed the exam was 75%. [percentage: noun]
Example
If you want to calculate the percentage increase, divide the difference by the original value and multiply by 100. [percentage: noun]
Example
The percentage of people who voted in the election was higher than last year. [percentage: noun]
rate
Example
The crime rate in the city has decreased by 10% this year. [rate: noun]
Example
The interest rate on my savings account is 2%. [rate: noun]
Example
The company's growth rate has been steady for the past few years. [rate: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Percentage and rate are both commonly used in business, finance, and statistics, but percentage is more commonly used in everyday language, especially in contexts such as grades, taxes, discounts, and shares. Rate is more commonly used in technical or specialized contexts, such as interest rates, exchange rates, growth rates, and mortality rates.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between percentage and rate?
Rate is generally considered more formal than percentage, as it is often used in technical or specialized contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.
