a big majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a significant portion of a group or population holds a particular opinion or makes a specific choice. Example: "In the recent survey, a big majority of participants expressed their support for the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initially, a big majority of African-Americans lined up behind his major opponent in the Democratic primaries, Hillary Clinton.

Huffington Post

A big majority of enrolled students attend public institutions.

The Economist

A big majority says Trump is unqualified for the presidency.

The Washington Post

She was prime minister, she had a big majority.

The Guardian

This was no surprise: a big majority nationally said the economy was the most important issue.

The New York Times

One is that both countries have newish governments—and Pakistan's has a big majority behind it.

The Economist

In the Assembly, where Democrats have a big majority, the abortion measure is likely to pass.

The New York Times

The president is chosen by parliament where the ruling AK Party has a big majority.

The Economist

Back when Mr Blair enjoyed a big majority he could shrug off such things.

The Economist

Mr Cardoso just about managed to do so, despite a big majority in Congress.

The Economist

His party also won a big majority in the National Assembly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about numerical data or statistics, use "a big majority" to convey a clear and impactful sense of prevalence or dominance. For example, "A big majority of surveyed users prefer the updated interface."

Common error

Avoid using "a big majority" when referring to a slim margin. Ensure the context reflects a truly substantial difference, as misuse can misrepresent data and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big majority" functions as a quantifier, specifying that a considerable portion of a group shares a common attribute, opinion, or action. Ludwig confirms its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate that a substantial portion of a group shares a particular characteristic or viewpoint. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its neutrality and broad applicability. Remember to use this phrase when the context accurately reflects a significant difference and to consider alternative expressions like "a large majority" or "the vast majority" to fine-tune the tone and emphasis of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large majority

Substitutes "big" with "large", offering a more formal tone while retaining the core meaning.

a significant majority

Replaces "big" with "significant", emphasizing the importance or impact of the majority.

a substantial majority

Uses "substantial" instead of "big", highlighting the considerable size or amount of the majority.

a considerable majority

Employs "considerable" in place of "big", indicating a noteworthy or respectable size of the majority.

an overwhelming majority

Replaces "big" with "overwhelming", stressing the dominance and near totality of the majority.

the vast majority

Uses "vast" instead of "big", emphasizing the extensive or immense scale of the majority.

most people

Simplifies the phrase to a more general term, suitable for less formal contexts.

the greater number

Offers a more literal and less common alternative, suitable for academic or technical writing.

a high proportion

Substitutes "majority" with "proportion", shifting the focus to the fractional representation.

a dominant faction

Replaces "majority" with "faction", highlighting the controlling or leading group within a larger body.

FAQs

How can I use "a big majority" in a sentence?

You can use "a big majority" to indicate that a significant portion of a group agrees with something or does something. For example, "A big majority of voters supported the new policy.

What are some alternatives to "a big majority"?

Alternatives include "a large majority", "a significant majority", or "the vast majority" depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a big majority"?

While grammatically correct, using "a big majority" might be misleading if the actual percentage is only slightly over 50%. In such cases, consider using more precise language like "a slim majority" or "a slight majority".

What's the difference between "a big majority" and "a strong majority"?

"A big majority" emphasizes the size of the group, while "a strong majority" implies not only size but also the intensity of conviction or support. For example, you might say "a big majority voted for the bill," but "a strong majority supports the leader's vision".