a decisive majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive majority" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a large majority that has a significant impact or influence on a decision or outcome. Example: "The election results showed a decisive majority in favor of the incumbent candidate, guaranteeing their victory in the upcoming term."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

In Gujarat, though, it rules alone with a decisive majority.

The Economist

And polls of Palestinians now show a decisive majority favor an end to the violence.

The New York Times

We know that a decisive majority of Britons want to see our railways publicly owned.

The Guardian - Opinion

In November, to no one's surprise, he was elected president by a decisive majority.

The New York Times

But a decisive majority of Socialist Party members has rejected this Fabiusien gloom and backed the constitution.

The Economist

Mr Bouteflika had promised that he would only take office if endorsed by a decisive majority from a high turnout.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Although he received no votes from the Deep South and no more than 40 out of 100 in the country as a whole, the popular votes were so distributed that he won a clear and decisive majority in the electoral college.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By then, combined with Latinos and Black Americans, Americans of color will represent a clear and decisive majority within the United States.

Huffington Post

Shortly thereafter, Zionist forces expelled Palestinian Arabs to ensure a decisive Jewish majority in the future state of Israel, and Arab armies intervened".

The New York Times

The figures suggest dozens of Labour MPs could lose their seats and there would be a decisive Conservative majority if Theresa May decided to call a snap general election to get a mandate for her Brexit strategy.

The Guardian

After a coalition of pro-Khatami parties won a decisive parliamentary majority in elections this February, it seemed possible that the reformers would be able to pass legislation delivering on their promises of increased personal and political freedoms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive majority" when you want to emphasize that a group not only has more than 50% of the votes or opinions, but also that the margin is significant enough to make the outcome clear and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive majority" if the actual percentage is only slightly over 50%. Save this phrase for instances where the margin is genuinely substantial, otherwise, use "a simple majority" or "a slight majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive majority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a significant and impactful numerical advantage, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decisive majority" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that signifies a majority large enough to have a significant impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts, signaling a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the majority is truly substantial to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as ""an overwhelming majority"" or ""a clear majority"" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overwhelming majority

Emphasizes the largeness of the majority; it's a difference in intensity.

a clear majority

Highlights the unambiguous nature of the majority, focusing on clarity rather than size.

a significant majority

Focuses on the importance or consequence of the majority.

a substantial majority

Similar to significant, it emphasizes the considerable size of the majority.

a dominant majority

Suggests the majority holds power or control.

a commanding majority

Implies the majority is strong and in charge.

a sweeping majority

Suggests a broad and comprehensive victory or agreement.

a comfortable majority

Indicates the majority is large enough to ensure stability or ease.

a considerable majority

Similar to substantial, emphasizing the notability of the majority.

a telling majority

Focuses on the revealing or informative nature of the majority's size.

FAQs

How to use "a decisive majority" in a sentence?

Use "a decisive majority" to indicate that a particular option, candidate, or view is supported by a significantly large number of people or entities. For example, "The bill passed with "a decisive majority" in the senate".

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

You can use alternatives like "an overwhelming majority", "a clear majority", or "a significant majority" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the decisive majority"?

While grammatically acceptable, "the decisive majority" is less common than "a decisive majority". "A decisive majority" generally refers to any instance of a clear and impactful majority, while "the decisive majority" implies you're referring to a specific, already identified group.

What's the difference between "a majority" and "a decisive majority"?

"A majority" simply means more than half of a group. "A decisive majority" implies that the majority is not only present, but also large enough to have a significant impact, leaving little room for doubt or opposition.