Majority

USAGE SUMMARY

'majority' is a correct and usable English word.
Generally, it refers to a group which is at least 50% or more of the entire group. For example: "The majority of the students voted in favor of the proposal".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am not disappointed that the majority has been reduced.

The Guardian

And on Tuesday night, we found out that the majority of Americans agree with my approach".

The New York Times

The study suggests that in 168 marginal seats, the ethnic minority vote is bigger than the majority of the sitting MP.

The Guardian

A successful referendum requires a double majority – a national yes vote, and affirmation in the majority of the states.

The Guardian

The vast majority of these decisions face no public scrutiny, though they shape public discourse.

The Guardian - Tech

The equal marriage bill was given an overwhelming second reading by 400 votes to 175, a majority of 225.

The Guardian

"We will propose a 'double majority' rule – meaning that unless England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each vote to leave the EU, as well as the UK as a whole, Britain would remain a member state".

The Guardian

The majority are women.

The Guardian

Gina McCarthy, who heads the EPA, said in a press call last week that her agency had found that 80% of small business owners supported the rule, as did a majority of those individuals and organizations who submitted public comments in the run-up to the rule's introduction.

The Guardian

SPT has majority stakes in UK independent producers including Silver River, Gogglebox Entertainment and Victory Television and makes shows including Who Wants to be a Millionaire, the Beyoncé and Will Young specials for ITV and Breakaway for BBC2.

The Guardian

As a result, Letta's left-right coalition now has a stable majority that includes about 60 of Berlusconi's former supporters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing election results or votes, specify the type of "majority" (e.g., simple majority, super majority) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "majority" when you actually mean "plurality". "Majority" means more than 50%, while "plurality" simply means the largest number of votes, even if it's less than 50%.

Linguistic Context

The word "majority" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a number greater than half of a total group. Ludwig provides examples where it describes agreement or dominance within a group, such as "the majority agreed that the new proposal was the best". Ludwig AI indicates that the word follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "majority" is a commonly used noun that refers to a quantity greater than half. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. To ensure correct usage, remember that "majority" specifically means more than 50%, differentiating it from terms like "plurality". Understanding its function and purpose will enhance your writing and communication skills. Considering alternatives like "greater part" or "larger portion" can also add variety to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Greater part

Focuses on the portion that is larger without necessarily implying more than half.

Larger portion

Highlights the size of the part relative to the whole.

The bulk

Emphasizes the substantial mass or volume of something.

Predominant part

Indicates the most influential or noticeable portion.

Most

A simple and direct way to indicate the largest number or quantity.

Vast number

Implies a very large quantity, though not necessarily more than half.

Prevalence

Focuses on how commonly something occurs or exists.

Greater number

Similar to "greater part" but emphasizes numerical quantity.

Main body

Refers to the primary or central part of a group or entity.

Substantial segment

Highlights a significant and considerable portion.

FAQs

How to use "Majority" in a sentence?

You can use "majority" to indicate that more than half of a group agrees on something, as in "The "majority" voted in favor of the proposal".

What's the difference between "Majority" and "Plurality"?

"Majority" means more than 50% of the votes, while "plurality" means receiving more votes than any other candidate, but not necessarily more than 50%.

Which is correct, "Majority" or "Most"?

Both "majority" and "most" are correct, but "majority" specifically refers to more than half, while "most" is a more general term for a large portion.

What can I say instead of "Majority"?

You can use alternatives like "greater part", "larger portion", or "the bulk depending on the context.