a broad majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large percentage or significant portion of a group or population. Example: "A broad majority of voters supported the new policy in the recent election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

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

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

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Juncker said in an interview with Bild that a "broad majority" of European leaders had told him they would support his candidacy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, confirmed that the referendum had been canceled and said the government should seek approval of the loan deal from a broader majority of 180 members in Parliament — which would require support from some of the opposition — rather than the simple majority of 151 that had backed previous measures.

The New York Times

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mr Garriga Polledo, who succeeded in securing a broad majority in support of his report.

EU Parlament

After the vote, rapporteur Andrea Cozzolino (S&D, IT) said: "The plenary vote today is a very significant result, reached with a broad majority, in support of simplified and improved rules for spending more than 270 billion euros under the next financing period.

European Parliament

"The IPO has the support of a broad majority in parliament, and we look forward to following the company's continued journey as a listed company".

The Guardian - Business

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 using "a broad majority of", ensure that the context clearly defines the group or population being referenced. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad majority of" when the actual percentage is only slightly over 50%. This can mislead readers into thinking the support is more substantial than it is. Use more accurate terms like "a slim majority" or "just over half" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "a broad majority of" functions as an adjectival phrase, describing the extent or size of the majority. It typically precedes a noun, such as "voters", "Americans", or "members", indicating that a significant portion of that group shares a particular characteristic or opinion. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad majority of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate substantial agreement or prevalence within a group. Grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival phrase. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, conveying widespread support or shared characteristics. When using the phrase, it’s important to define the referenced group and avoid overstating the majority if the actual percentage is close to 50%. Alternatives include "a significant majority of" and "the vast majority of", depending on the context. Ludwig's examples demonstrate that it is a reliable phrase with a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant majority of

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of the majority.

a large proportion of

Focuses on the quantity or share represented by the majority.

a substantial number of

Highlights the size or amount of the majority.

the vast majority of

Implies an overwhelming or extensive majority.

the greater part of

Refers to the larger portion or segment of a group.

most of

A more concise way to express a majority.

an overwhelming number of

Indicates a very large and forceful majority.

a considerable segment of

Stresses the noteworthiness of the portion.

a dominant fraction of

Highlights the controlling or leading aspect of the majority.

the bulk of

Emphasizes the mass or volume of the majority.

FAQs

How to use "a broad majority of" in a sentence?

The phrase "a broad majority of" is used to indicate that a large segment of a group shares a particular opinion or characteristic. For example, "A broad majority of Americans support stricter gun control laws."

What can I say instead of "a broad majority of"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant majority of", "the vast majority of", or "most of" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "a simple majority" or "a broad majority"?

"A simple majority" refers to more than 50% of a group, whereas "a broad majority of" suggests a much larger proportion, typically significantly more than half. Use the phrase that more accurately reflects the actual proportion.

What is the difference between "a majority" and "a broad majority of"?

"A majority" simply means more than half. "A broad majority of" implies a substantial and noticeable majority, suggesting a wider margin of agreement or representation.