a formidable majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or powerful majority in a particular context, such as voting, opinions, or support. Example: "In the recent election, a formidable majority of voters supported the new policy, indicating a strong desire for change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A formidable majority of voters has set itself against joining in any near future.

The Guardian

This decision was achieved with the votes of maybe 20percentt of the membership of the ASA, but it is still an irritant, and a reminder to many Israelis and those who support Israel in the US, which constitutes a formidable majority of American public opinion, that there still are some who under the guise of academic prestige act as agents of collective hatred.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Boehner now presided over a formidable majority; two months earlier, in the midterm elections, the G.O.P. expanded its control of the House by thirteen seats and captured the Senate by winning nine seats there.

The New Yorker

He joked that when Joe Bruno, the formidable majority leader of the state Senate, invited him to dinner he accepted, but vowed to take a food-taster with him.New Yorkers elected Mr Spitzer, an Albany outsider, on a mandate to battle corruption and to clean up state affairs.

The Economist

In a state that has 196,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans and 140,000 more registered Independents than Democrats, Mr. Rowland, a fiscal conservative with moderate views on most social issues, has clearly built a formidable reputation among a clear majority of voters.

The New York Times

On the other hand, a Republican could transform the somewhat reliable 5-4 conservative majority into a formidable 7-2 conservative majority.

Huffington Post

The election of Mr. Obama and his formidable majorities in Congress, installed over the course of successive elections, was seen in some quarters of the Democratic Party as an ideological vindication — a sign that voters had judged rigid conservatism a failure and were at last ready to embrace a more expansive government.

The New York Times

It is scheduled to take place later this year at Crosby, in the Liverpool area, but she will still face the formidable task of overturning a Conservative majority of 19,272 votes in the general election.

The New York Times

All this would be a formidable array of challenges for a prime minister armed with a substantial parliamentary majority and a direct mandate from the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hers was a formidable achievement of intellect and will.

Independent

Iraq had a formidable arsenal of chemical weapons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "a formidable majority of" when you want to convey not only that something is numerically superior but also that it possesses considerable strength or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable majority of" if the majority, while large, does not actually wield significant power or influence in the situation. Using a more neutral term like "a large majority" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable majority of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying a quantity or portion. It highlights not only the size of the majority, but also its strength, power, or influence, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formidable majority of" is a phrase used to describe a substantial portion of something that also possesses significant strength or influence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not extremely common, it is appropriate for formal and neutral writing when you want to highlight both the size and the power of a majority. Be mindful not to overstate the strength if the majority doesn't actually wield significant power, and consider using alternatives like "an overwhelming majority of" or "a substantial portion of" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overwhelming majority of

Emphasizes a greater degree of dominance compared to "formidable".

a substantial portion of

Focuses on quantity rather than strength or power.

a significant number of

Highlights the numerical importance of the group.

a considerable segment of

Highlights the size of a specific group or part.

a dominant fraction of

Suggests that the majority has control or influence.

a commanding percentage of

Emphasizes the numerical superiority and authority.

a decisive share of

Indicates a clear and impactful majority.

a prevalent section of

Highlights the widespread presence of a particular part or group.

a major contingent of

Refers to a large group with a specific purpose or characteristic.

the bulk of

Implies the largest part or main component.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable majority of" in a sentence?

Use "a formidable majority of" to describe a situation where a substantial portion not only exists but also holds significant power or influence. For example, "A formidable majority of the board members voted in favor of the proposal."

What phrases are similar to "a formidable majority of"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "a formidable majority of" over other similar phrases?

Use "a formidable majority of" when you want to emphasize not only the numerical dominance but also the strength or influence that the majority possesses. If the majority is simply large but not particularly powerful, consider using "a large majority" instead.

Is "a formidable majority of" considered formal or informal language?

"A formidable majority of" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news or business writing, to convey the weight and impact of the majority's position. Avoid it in informal contexts.