a distinct majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a clear or noticeable majority exists in a particular context, such as voting or opinion polls. Example: "In the recent election, the candidate received a distinct majority of the votes, securing their position for another term."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Cunningham called it irrelevant that Mr. Romaine's party has a distinct majority in voter registration and holds the top line on the ballot.

The New York Times

Mr. Mac Naughton declined to specify how many people did not pay off their layaway purchases, but said a "distinct majority" of customers were able to finish paying off their purchases.

The New York Times

This means that at least 60% of the weighted random forest trees decided in favor of the chosen class and at most 40% for the opposing class, which implies that the classifier decision is based on a distinct majority.

BMC Systems Biology

Terminal sedation in patients with unfavourable prognosis was considered acceptable by fewer respondents, whereas sedation in patients with physical symptoms was still regarded as acceptable by a (distinct) majority of respondents (without withdrawal of nutrition: 74% and 66% respectively; with withdrawal of nutrition: 63% and 56% respectively).

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Financially, the club will be at a distinct disadvantage to the majority of their peers.

The Guardian - Sport

As the only woman in this five-way race, and a pro-choice woman at that, McMahon has a distinct advantage among the majority-female Connecticut electorate, but women are likely to be turned off by WWE's commercialization of demeaning images of women, including McMahon's own daughter, an occasional victim of scripted in-ring humiliations such as the "Stink Face" move.

The Guardian - Opinion

The agreement tonight followed six days of negotiations that had threatened to break down over a provision in the Meech Lake accord that would recognize Quebec majority as a "distinct society" in the body of the Canadian constitution.

The New York Times

Indeed, Gantz has already declared that he would not enter into a coalition with either of the Arab parties, which places his center-left party at a distinct disadvantage at forming a majority even as it regularly places first in the polls.

The Washington Post

Although many Napsterphiles say in surveys that they are prepared to pay for their pleasure, there is a distinct possibility that the vast majority will simply switch to still-free clones, such as Aimster, that have made themselves much harder to shut down than Napster.

The Economist

Some proponents favor the label Ebonics--a combination of "ebony" and "phonics --to denote a distinct language sphonics --to majority of descendants of African American slaves, said John Baugh, a phonics --to edenoteon andistinctstics at Stanford University.

Los Angeles Times

However, these studies exhibit a distinct phylogenetic bias: the vast majority of arthropod genomic data available have been generated for the holometabolous insects, which undergo complete metamorphosis.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinct majority" when you want to emphasize that the majority is not just present, but also clearly noticeable or significantly different from other groups or options. This highlights the clarity and decisiveness of the majority.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinct majority" when the majority is only slight or marginal. This phrase implies a clear and substantial difference, so its misuse can exaggerate the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct majority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a quantity or group that surpasses others in number and is clearly differentiated from them, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinct majority" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a clear and noticeable advantage in number or proportion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts like news and scientific publications. While alternatives like "a clear majority" or "a significant majority" exist, "a distinct majority" specifically underscores the clarity and decisiveness of the majority. Remember to use it when you want to highlight a pronounced difference rather than a marginal one, as doing so can exaggerate the situation. By avoiding redundancy and understanding its nuanced meaning, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear majority

Replaces "distinct" with "clear", focusing on the unambiguity of the majority.

a significant majority

Substitutes "distinct" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the majority.

a considerable majority

Uses "considerable" instead of "distinct", highlighting the size or extent of the majority.

a marked majority

Employs "marked" to indicate that the majority is easily noticeable or prominent.

a decisive majority

Replaces "distinct" with "decisive", focusing on the conclusiveness of the majority.

a substantial majority

Uses "substantial" to convey that the majority is of considerable size or amount.

a noticeable majority

Substitutes "distinct" with "noticeable", highlighting that the majority is easily observed.

a clear advantage

Shifts the focus from the numerical majority to the resulting clear advantage.

a dominant share

Uses "dominant share" to express the idea of having a prevailing portion or part.

a prevailing portion

Rephrases the concept as a portion that is prevailing or predominant.

FAQs

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

Use "a distinct majority" to describe a situation where one group or option clearly surpasses others in number or influence. For example, "A distinct majority of voters supported the proposal."

What are some alternatives to "a distinct majority"?

Alternatives include "a clear majority", "a significant majority", or "a substantial majority". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very distinct majority"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "very distinct" can be redundant. The word "distinct" already implies a clear difference, so "a distinct majority" is usually sufficient. Consider using a different adjective altogether for emphasis, such as "a significant majority".

Can "a distinct majority" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a distinct majority" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a situation where one option has a clear advantage.