Percents or Percentages

The handy online edition of the Columbia Guide to Standard American English helpfully notes: "Percentage is the more widely accepted noun, especially in Edited English." But "percent" is probably so entrenched at this point that most people would find it equally acceptable.

...but "percentages" sounds better!

Yes, but it also takes up more space on precious real estate....so it's a balancing act. Thanks so much for the feedback. The report is on press right now.

Don't keep us in suspense, Tessa. Which did you use?

In the context used,

Percent is more correctly the percent symbol, a typographical thingy.

Percentage is the mathematical meaning implied.

The correct usage for that particular context is 'percentage'.

Commonly, 'percent' is the correct word when saying something like

"In our estimation, 5 percent were excluded.*"

"*Percentages do not add to 100 because members may indicate more than one business activity."

Tessa, know this is way past your due date but why not say "the total percentage was not 100...

The correct answer is percentage. The easiest way to remember the difference is to understand that "percent" is always preceded with a number, whereas, "percentage" is never directed coupled with a number.

The correct answer is percentage. The easiest way to remember the difference is to understand that "percent" is always preceded with a number, whereas, "percentage" is never directly coupled with a number.