Understanding ‘Per Cent’: A Key Term for IELTS Success
Learn the correct usage of ‘per cent’ in English, including its meaning, word type, and common mistakes to avoid. This video covers examples, synonyms, and tips to help you use ‘per cent’ effectively in your IELTS exam and everyday communication.
Imagine you’re shopping and see a sign that says “50 per cent off.” That means everything is half price!
Today, we’re learning about the term “per cent” and how to use it correctly in English.
Word type: Per cent is a noun, often used with numbers to show a portion or rate.
Meaning: Per cent means “out of one hundred” or “for every hundred.” It’s a way to express a number as a fraction of 100.
Word history: The term comes from the Latin “per centum,” which literally means “by the hundred.”
Synonyms:
Some common synonyms for per cent include percentage and the symbol %.
Examples use in sentences: Only 25 per cent of the students passed the difficult exam.
The weather forecast says there’s a 70 per cent chance of rain tomorrow. Our company saw a 10 per cent increase in sales this year.
Common errors in use: A common mistake is confusing “per cent” with “percent.” In British English, it’s typically written as two words: “per cent.”
In American English, it’s usually one word: “percent.” For IELTS, using “per cent” as two words is generally preferred.
Another error is using “per cent” without a number. Always use a number before “per cent,” like “50 per cent” or “100 per cent.”
Remember, “per cent” is a powerful tool for expressing proportions and statistics. Practice using it in your speaking and writing to boost your IELTS score.
The more you use it, the more comfortable you’ll become with this important term.
