Most of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Most of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the majority of a particular group or quantity. Example: "Most of the participants agreed with the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of it, anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of them, anyway.

The New York Times

Most of us don't.

The New York Times

Most of them do".

The New York Times

Most of them won't.

The New York Times

"Most of it's wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

Most of us refused.

The Economist

Most of us haven't.

The New York Times

Most of them shut.

The Economist

Most of us are".

The New York Times - Arts

Most of the mornings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most of" when you want to indicate that a majority, but not necessarily all, of a group or quantity is being referenced. For clarity, ensure the noun following "of" is specific.

Common error

Avoid using a singular noun after "most of" when referring to countable items. For example, use "most of the books" instead of "most of the book".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Most of" functions as a determiner, specifically a partitive determiner, indicating a portion or quantity of something. According to Ludwig, it signals that we're referring to a majority, but not necessarily all, of a particular group or item.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Most of" is a versatile and commonly used partitive determiner that indicates a majority, but not necessarily all, of a specified group or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "Most of", ensure proper pluralization of nouns and consider alternatives like "a majority of" or "almost all" to refine your expression. This phrase is essential for accurately conveying proportions and prevalence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A majority of

Replaces "most" with "a majority", indicating a similar but slightly more formal tone.

Almost all

Indicates a near-complete quantity, very close to but not necessarily all-inclusive.

The greater part of

Emphasizes a significant portion, often implying a larger size or importance.

For the most part

Introduces an exception-based context, suitable when something is generally true but not always.

By and large

Similar to "for the most part", indicating a general truth with potential exceptions.

A large number of

Focuses on the quantity being substantial, suitable for countable items.

The bulk of

Highlights the main or largest part, often used for materials or substances.

The lion's share of

Highlights the fact that it's the larger portion but not necessarily most of.

Predominantly

Indicates that something is mainly or mostly the case, applicable in various contexts.

Principally

Similar to predominantly, emphasizing the main or primary aspect.

FAQs

How do I use "Most of" in a sentence?

"Most of" is followed by a definite article, possessive pronoun, or demonstrative pronoun and a noun or pronoun (e.g., "Most of the time", "Most of my friends", "Most of them").

What are some alternatives to "Most of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a majority of", "the greater part of", or "almost all" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Most of the people is"?

No, it's incorrect. Since "people" is plural, the correct form is "Most of the people are". Use a plural verb after "Most of" when referring to a plural noun.

What's the difference between "Most of the" and "Most"?

"Most of the" specifies a particular group, while "Most" is used to make a general statement. For example, "Most of the students passed the test" refers to a specific group of students, while "Most people enjoy music" is a general statement.