1. the difference between percentage and proportion. Can they all referring to %? They both report to an amount. THe proportion of women to men on the board of directors of big companies shows that these companies need to a better job to recruit women. (So yes, you can change this to a percentage, which is actually a little more than 10%) 2. A large percentage of people were or was?why? A large percentage WERE (because the verb refers to the 'percentage' not 'people') 3. the difference between accounted for and accounting for? 'account for" has different meanings but here's one related to numbrs to form a particular amount or part of something Women account for only 10% of the people on the Board of Directors of many Fortune 500 companies. • In the whole of 1995, imports accounted for 58 % compared with 57 % in 1994. (from Longman dictionary) accounting for -- take into account. take into account. (idiomatic) To consider or regard; to include (as in an estimate or plan) or pay attention to; to notice; to allow for. His plan did not take into account the possibility of rain. Accounting for small errors, these data still show a significant growth. 4. the difference between certification, certificate and qualification. Do they all referring to diploma? No, the first two refer to some official organization which certifies that someone has certain qualifications (skills) 5. the difference between 'The figure for' and 'of'. THis is unclear. You need to supply the context and the sentence(s)

1. It can have the same meaning but can be used differently depending what information you are asking for.

Percent: 25/100 = 25%, Proportion: 25/100 = 4:1 which is same as 50/200 = 4:1 = 25%

If it becomes 50/100 = 2:1 = 50%

Eg. What percentage of the population is male? 75%. What proportion of the population is male 75/100, 3/4, 25% of total.

What is the proportion (ratio) of male compared to female 3:1

2. Were. People is plural for person therefore more than 1 person WAS doing it, or many people WERE doing it

3. Accounted = already happened. They accounted for it.

Accounting = happening now. They were accounting for it (at the time it was happening)

4. Yes, a certificate something you receive when you qualify for something. You are certified, you have a certificate, you now have a certification or a qulification. This can be a degree, diploma, high school certificate etc.

5. Sorry, I don't understand the context for this one.

Can anyone else help?