a clear majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear majority" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which the majority of people or votes are clear and obvious, as opposed to a situation where the majority is uncertain or inconclusive. For example, "The results of the election showed a clear majority in favor of the incumbent candidate, who won by a wide margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We arrived with a clear majority.

The New York Times

But neither side had a clear majority.

The New York Times

In Moscow we're actually a clear majority.

The New York Times

A clear majority are from African families, mainly Somali.

The Guardian

"But we voted on this by a clear majority.

The New York Times - Arts

It now holds a clear majority among lawmakers.

The New York Times

A clear majority favoured the recognition of civil partnerships.

The Guardian - Opinion

This process continues until one candidate has a clear majority.

The Guardian

In St Paul's Brummie Asians are in a clear majority.

The Guardian

However, a clear majority of Remain supporters concur.

The Guardian

A clear majority, those present said, wanted to wait.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear majority" to emphasize a significant level of agreement or preference, making it suitable for reports, articles, and persuasive writing. Make sure to specify what the majority is in favor of to give your writing purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear majority" when the results are closely contested or nearly split. This phrase implies a substantial difference, so it is inaccurate to use it for situations with marginal leads or near-equal distributions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear majority" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It identifies the noun as having more than half of the votes or number of people in a group with a strong connotation that the difference with the other groups is substantial. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a clear majority" is a widely used and grammatically correct way to express that a significantly large portion of a group favors a specific option. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's important to avoid using this phrase when results are closely contested, it is effective for emphasizing a substantial level of agreement or preference. Alternatives like "a substantial majority" and "the vast majority" can be used to add nuance depending on the specific context. Always ensure that the context demonstrates a readily identifiable difference between the majority and the minority to accurately reflect the phrase's meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial majority

Emphasizes the size or importance of the majority.

a significant majority

Highlights the noteworthiness or impact of the majority.

a decisive majority

Focuses on the conclusiveness or lack of ambiguity in the majority.

the vast majority

Suggests that almost all members of a group are included in the majority.

a large proportion

Indicates a sizable fraction or percentage.

most people

Simplifies the expression to indicate that the majority of individuals agree or act in a certain way.

the greater part

Indicates that the majority represents the larger portion.

over half

Expresses a basic majority, indicating more than 50%.

a dominant faction

Refers to a controlling group or party, implies more political power.

the bulk of

Refers to the main part or largest portion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a clear majority" to describe a situation where more than half of a group distinctly favors something. For instance, "A clear majority of voters supported the new policy".

What's the difference between "a clear majority" and "a simple majority"?

"A clear majority" implies a substantial difference in numbers, while "a simple majority" just means more than 50% of the votes.

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

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

Is it always necessary to quantify "a clear majority" with specific numbers?

While not always necessary, quantifying "a clear majority" with percentages or ratios strengthens the statement and provides more context, making it more convincing.