a broad majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or overwhelming majority in a voting context or when discussing opinions or support. Example: "The proposal was passed with a broad majority, indicating strong support from the committee members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year earlier, a broad majority told Pew that enforcing marijuana laws cost more than it was worth.

The Washington Post

Those results showed how Mexico's opposition forces have grown into a broad majority, but their division between two major candidates could bring a new governing party triumph.

The New York Times

In Locke v. Davey, the stopping point appeared clear to a broad majority of the court.

The New York Times

It wasn't that long ago that a broad majority of Americans supported gun control.

The Washington Post

Usually a committed minority can destroy a complex compromise bill fashioned by a broad majority.

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum won a broad majority of those who cited abortion as their top issue.

The New York Times

A broad majority of European leaders support his candidacy, he said in the interview.

The Guardian

The public remains optimistic with a broad majority expecting an agreement by the Aug. 2 deadline.

The New York Times

A broad majority of cities support the growth of collaborative business models and 26% of cities have makerspaces.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A broad majority thought it was a wonderful opportunity for Danish business to be seen," Mr. Espersen said.

The New York Times

He thereby shows that the speech restrictions have been part of a broad majority assault on minority rights and that they are grossly unconstitutional.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about survey or poll results, "a broad majority" is effective for highlighting widespread agreement or support for a particular viewpoint or policy.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad majority" when you simply mean "a large majority." "Broad" implies diversity and wide representation, while "large" only refers to size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad majority" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun, to indicate that a significant portion of a group or population shares a particular view or preference. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a broad majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote widespread support or agreement, as confirmed by Ludwig. It distinguishes itself by emphasizing diversity within the majority, unlike "large majority" which focuses solely on size. It's appropriate for diverse registers and useful in contexts where illustrating broad-based support is key. Remember, while synonyms like "a significant majority" or "an overwhelming majority" exist, "broad majority" uniquely conveys the diversity of the supporting group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant majority

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the majority.

a substantial majority

Highlights the considerable size or weight of the majority.

an overwhelming majority

Indicates a very large and compelling majority.

the vast majority

Emphasizes the immensity or extensiveness of the majority.

a clear majority

Highlights that the majority is easily distinguishable and not marginal.

a commanding majority

Implies that the majority has significant power or influence.

a large segment

Refers to a considerable portion of a population or group.

a dominant share

Suggests that a majority holds a leading or controlling portion.

most people

A more informal and general way to express the same idea.

the lion's share

Highlights the disproportionate size of a part compared to others.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad majority" to indicate widespread support or agreement, such as, "A broad majority of voters supported the new policy".

What's the difference between "a broad majority" and "a large majority"?

"A broad majority" implies diversity in the group expressing support, while "a large majority" simply refers to the size of the supporting group. For example, "a large majority" could be from a single demographic, but "a broad majority" comes from various groups.

What are some alternatives to "a broad majority"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant majority", "a substantial majority", or "an overwhelming majority depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "broad majority" or "large majority" in formal writing?

Both "broad majority" and "large majority" are acceptable in formal writing. However, "broad majority" is particularly useful when emphasizing the diverse composition of the group in agreement, while "large majority" simply highlights the size. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you want to convey.