one hundred VS a hundred

Question

Hello! Which is most common? one hundred or a hundred? Thanks!

Answer 1

It's only a matter of emphasis, one hundred emphasizes the number.

A hundred thanks to you, mate!

One hundred thanks ( only, not even a thousand) thanks..

I owe the bank about a hundred pounds..

I owe the bank one hundred pounds and 50 pence ( exact state of affairs, ojalá that this small number was all I owed the bank..)

Thank you amd well done by you. Feliz Navidad y un feliz Año Nuevo. - kirk1, Dec 14, 2012

Answer 2

Both are used regularly. "A hundred" is a slightly less formal manner of speech than "one hundred". In a conversation where quantities were the issue or in a math class, one hundred would be preferred as in 'ten squared is one hundred'. In casual conversation "a hundred" is often used and depending on the situation the intent might not be that it was exactly 100 as in, "There must have been a hundred people at their party." When talking about buying or selling either are used as in, "I got a hundred dollars for it."

Yes, if you add both our answers, it just about covers every aspect.. well put. - annierats, Dec 13, 2012

great explanation. - rogspax, Dec 13, 2012