Choosing between “100%” and “cent percent”
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am a non-native English speaker. I am applying for the USA university for management studies. While writing the essay I came across the sentence, "I was 100% confident."
My query:
Is it appropriate to write 100% or should I write cent percent? Does it sound professional?
word-choice indian-english symbols
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
|
show 7 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am a non-native English speaker. I am applying for the USA university for management studies. While writing the essay I came across the sentence, "I was 100% confident."
My query:
Is it appropriate to write 100% or should I write cent percent? Does it sound professional?
word-choice indian-english symbols
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
4
It doesn't make sense, because “cent” is not English. It is, however, the French word for “hundred” :) As I don't have edit rights, could someone edit the question and title so that it makes sense?
– F'x
Jan 22 '11 at 14:30
3
By the way, user113, sometimes less is more. It may simply be better from a stylistic point of view to say "I was confident" rather than "I was 100% confident."
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:27
4
@Jim Oke: Cent means one thing in English; a division of currency/coin. It is plain incorrect to say "cent percent" - perhaps the questioner can clarify what he means.
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 17:08
2
@Jimi: You should have said that originally! You just confused me initially hah, but I see your point now. Indeed, "cent percent" seems to be a peculiar term that is unique to Indian English. (It's certainly not used in British English.) Nonetheless, it's probably valid in the dialect relevant to the user, so I've rolled back my edit and added the tagindian-english. :)
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:04
2
Though he seems to be writing for Americans, in which case it's best to use U.S. English...
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:05
|
show 7 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am a non-native English speaker. I am applying for the USA university for management studies. While writing the essay I came across the sentence, "I was 100% confident."
My query:
Is it appropriate to write 100% or should I write cent percent? Does it sound professional?
word-choice indian-english symbols
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
I am a non-native English speaker. I am applying for the USA university for management studies. While writing the essay I came across the sentence, "I was 100% confident."
My query:
Is it appropriate to write 100% or should I write cent percent? Does it sound professional?
word-choice indian-english symbols
word-choice indian-english symbols
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
edited May 4 '11 at 20:06
MrHen
29.7k19105231
29.7k19105231
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
asked Jan 22 '11 at 13:45
Zerotoinfinity
2592613
2592613
4
It doesn't make sense, because “cent” is not English. It is, however, the French word for “hundred” :) As I don't have edit rights, could someone edit the question and title so that it makes sense?
– F'x
Jan 22 '11 at 14:30
3
By the way, user113, sometimes less is more. It may simply be better from a stylistic point of view to say "I was confident" rather than "I was 100% confident."
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:27
4
@Jim Oke: Cent means one thing in English; a division of currency/coin. It is plain incorrect to say "cent percent" - perhaps the questioner can clarify what he means.
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 17:08
2
@Jimi: You should have said that originally! You just confused me initially hah, but I see your point now. Indeed, "cent percent" seems to be a peculiar term that is unique to Indian English. (It's certainly not used in British English.) Nonetheless, it's probably valid in the dialect relevant to the user, so I've rolled back my edit and added the tagindian-english. :)
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:04
2
Though he seems to be writing for Americans, in which case it's best to use U.S. English...
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:05
|
show 7 more comments
4
It doesn't make sense, because “cent” is not English. It is, however, the French word for “hundred” :) As I don't have edit rights, could someone edit the question and title so that it makes sense?
– F'x
Jan 22 '11 at 14:30
3
By the way, user113, sometimes less is more. It may simply be better from a stylistic point of view to say "I was confident" rather than "I was 100% confident."
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:27
4
@Jim Oke: Cent means one thing in English; a division of currency/coin. It is plain incorrect to say "cent percent" - perhaps the questioner can clarify what he means.
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 17:08
2
@Jimi: You should have said that originally! You just confused me initially hah, but I see your point now. Indeed, "cent percent" seems to be a peculiar term that is unique to Indian English. (It's certainly not used in British English.) Nonetheless, it's probably valid in the dialect relevant to the user, so I've rolled back my edit and added the tagindian-english. :)
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:04
2
Though he seems to be writing for Americans, in which case it's best to use U.S. English...
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:05
4
4
It doesn't make sense, because “cent” is not English. It is, however, the French word for “hundred” :) As I don't have edit rights, could someone edit the question and title so that it makes sense?
– F'x
Jan 22 '11 at 14:30
It doesn't make sense, because “cent” is not English. It is, however, the French word for “hundred” :) As I don't have edit rights, could someone edit the question and title so that it makes sense?
– F'x
Jan 22 '11 at 14:30
3
3
By the way, user113, sometimes less is more. It may simply be better from a stylistic point of view to say "I was confident" rather than "I was 100% confident."
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:27
By the way, user113, sometimes less is more. It may simply be better from a stylistic point of view to say "I was confident" rather than "I was 100% confident."
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:27
4
4
@Jim Oke: Cent means one thing in English; a division of currency/coin. It is plain incorrect to say "cent percent" - perhaps the questioner can clarify what he means.
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 17:08
@Jim Oke: Cent means one thing in English; a division of currency/coin. It is plain incorrect to say "cent percent" - perhaps the questioner can clarify what he means.
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 17:08
2
2
@Jimi: You should have said that originally! You just confused me initially hah, but I see your point now. Indeed, "cent percent" seems to be a peculiar term that is unique to Indian English. (It's certainly not used in British English.) Nonetheless, it's probably valid in the dialect relevant to the user, so I've rolled back my edit and added the tag
indian-english. :)– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:04
@Jimi: You should have said that originally! You just confused me initially hah, but I see your point now. Indeed, "cent percent" seems to be a peculiar term that is unique to Indian English. (It's certainly not used in British English.) Nonetheless, it's probably valid in the dialect relevant to the user, so I've rolled back my edit and added the tag
indian-english. :)– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:04
2
2
Though he seems to be writing for Americans, in which case it's best to use U.S. English...
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:05
Though he seems to be writing for Americans, in which case it's best to use U.S. English...
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:05
|
show 7 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
I would substitute an adjective that means the same thing: totally, completely, absolutely, etc.
As it stands, though, your question makes no sense: "cent percent" is meaningless. Are you asking whether you should spell out "one hundred percent" instead of using numerals? If so, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. Still, in the context I would use one of the adjectives I suggested here.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
4
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
4
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
I would use 100% when it was an actual measurement, and one hundred percent when it's an expression.
After counting, I saw that 100% of the visitors wore hats. At the time, I was one hundred percent sure of my observation. Later I found out that most were not actually hats, but pets.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Use 100% when you are stating mathematical thought like statistics. Use "one hundred percent" when you are stating non-mathematical thought like a story.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Late to the party.
I am from India. I suspect the OP is from India. This is a local usage here. I have heard many people saying "cent percent" in place of "100 %" but not aware of the origin/cause of this usage.
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
I would substitute an adjective that means the same thing: totally, completely, absolutely, etc.
As it stands, though, your question makes no sense: "cent percent" is meaningless. Are you asking whether you should spell out "one hundred percent" instead of using numerals? If so, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. Still, in the context I would use one of the adjectives I suggested here.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
4
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
4
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
I would substitute an adjective that means the same thing: totally, completely, absolutely, etc.
As it stands, though, your question makes no sense: "cent percent" is meaningless. Are you asking whether you should spell out "one hundred percent" instead of using numerals? If so, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. Still, in the context I would use one of the adjectives I suggested here.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
4
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
4
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
I would substitute an adjective that means the same thing: totally, completely, absolutely, etc.
As it stands, though, your question makes no sense: "cent percent" is meaningless. Are you asking whether you should spell out "one hundred percent" instead of using numerals? If so, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. Still, in the context I would use one of the adjectives I suggested here.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
I would substitute an adjective that means the same thing: totally, completely, absolutely, etc.
As it stands, though, your question makes no sense: "cent percent" is meaningless. Are you asking whether you should spell out "one hundred percent" instead of using numerals? If so, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. Still, in the context I would use one of the adjectives I suggested here.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
answered Jan 22 '11 at 13:48
Robusto
127k27301512
127k27301512
4
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
4
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
add a comment |
4
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
4
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
4
4
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
Indeed, cent percent is unheard of in the US, but not so in old BrE usage and other parts of the English-speaking world. For example: arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/… You could think of it as one for one/cent for cent. I hear it's just about standard usage in India/Pakistan.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 14:34
4
4
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
@Jimi Okie: True, I have never, ever heard that expression before. Nevertheless, OP is applying to an American university, so avoiding it is probably best.
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:10
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
Certainly! I only heard of it myself last month and it's not a construction I would use.
– Jimi Oke
Jan 22 '11 at 16:16
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
"Cent per cent" is different from "cent percent". The first means "penny for penny", the second is nonsense.
– Hot Licks
Apr 7 '16 at 12:17
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
I would use 100% when it was an actual measurement, and one hundred percent when it's an expression.
After counting, I saw that 100% of the visitors wore hats. At the time, I was one hundred percent sure of my observation. Later I found out that most were not actually hats, but pets.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
I would use 100% when it was an actual measurement, and one hundred percent when it's an expression.
After counting, I saw that 100% of the visitors wore hats. At the time, I was one hundred percent sure of my observation. Later I found out that most were not actually hats, but pets.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
I would use 100% when it was an actual measurement, and one hundred percent when it's an expression.
After counting, I saw that 100% of the visitors wore hats. At the time, I was one hundred percent sure of my observation. Later I found out that most were not actually hats, but pets.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
I would use 100% when it was an actual measurement, and one hundred percent when it's an expression.
After counting, I saw that 100% of the visitors wore hats. At the time, I was one hundred percent sure of my observation. Later I found out that most were not actually hats, but pets.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
edited Jan 22 '11 at 16:11
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
answered Jan 22 '11 at 15:58
Guffa
8,4381731
8,4381731
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Use 100% when you are stating mathematical thought like statistics. Use "one hundred percent" when you are stating non-mathematical thought like a story.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Use 100% when you are stating mathematical thought like statistics. Use "one hundred percent" when you are stating non-mathematical thought like a story.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Use 100% when you are stating mathematical thought like statistics. Use "one hundred percent" when you are stating non-mathematical thought like a story.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
Use 100% when you are stating mathematical thought like statistics. Use "one hundred percent" when you are stating non-mathematical thought like a story.
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
answered Jan 22 '11 at 17:05
Neigyl Noval
1211
1211
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Late to the party.
I am from India. I suspect the OP is from India. This is a local usage here. I have heard many people saying "cent percent" in place of "100 %" but not aware of the origin/cause of this usage.
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Late to the party.
I am from India. I suspect the OP is from India. This is a local usage here. I have heard many people saying "cent percent" in place of "100 %" but not aware of the origin/cause of this usage.
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Late to the party.
I am from India. I suspect the OP is from India. This is a local usage here. I have heard many people saying "cent percent" in place of "100 %" but not aware of the origin/cause of this usage.
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
Late to the party.
I am from India. I suspect the OP is from India. This is a local usage here. I have heard many people saying "cent percent" in place of "100 %" but not aware of the origin/cause of this usage.
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
answered Apr 7 '16 at 10:02
NeonGlow
13816
13816
add a comment |
add a comment |
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f9610%2fchoosing-between-100-and-cent-percent%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
4
It doesn't make sense, because “cent” is not English. It is, however, the French word for “hundred” :) As I don't have edit rights, could someone edit the question and title so that it makes sense?
– F'x
Jan 22 '11 at 14:30
3
By the way, user113, sometimes less is more. It may simply be better from a stylistic point of view to say "I was confident" rather than "I was 100% confident."
– Robusto
Jan 22 '11 at 16:27
4
@Jim Oke: Cent means one thing in English; a division of currency/coin. It is plain incorrect to say "cent percent" - perhaps the questioner can clarify what he means.
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 17:08
2
@Jimi: You should have said that originally! You just confused me initially hah, but I see your point now. Indeed, "cent percent" seems to be a peculiar term that is unique to Indian English. (It's certainly not used in British English.) Nonetheless, it's probably valid in the dialect relevant to the user, so I've rolled back my edit and added the tag
indian-english. :)– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:04
2
Though he seems to be writing for Americans, in which case it's best to use U.S. English...
– Noldorin
Jan 22 '11 at 18:05