a greater part of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greater part of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a larger portion or majority of something. For example, "A greater part of the money was spent on equipment for the new office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Islam has become a greater part of their identity.

The Economist

Nimbyism may increase as local communities become a greater part of the process.

The Guardian

Illumina wants a greater part of the reproductive-health market, says CEO Jay Flatley.

MIT Technology Review

This spells real danger as wireless devices become a greater part of our economy.

MIT Technology Review

On his own, Dušan conquered Albania and a greater part of Macedonia in the same year.

Britannica

That means that Medicare has to bear a greater part of the burden.

The New York Times

One senior officer told the Guardian: "This time a greater part of the reduction will be borne by police officers".

The Guardian

Press is an excellent, underused performer: maybe her Davison could have occupied a greater part of the film.

The Guardian - Film

And he said banks should be forced to share a greater part of the burden of reducing the deficit.

The Guardian

In the decade since Hurricane Katrina's devastation, universal vulnerability has become a greater part of the story.

The New Yorker

A senior officer told the Guardian: "This time a greater part of the reduction will be borne by police officers".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, vary your vocabulary by substituting "a greater part of" with synonyms such as "a significant portion of" or "a substantial amount of" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "a great part of" instead of "a greater part of". "Great" describes something of high quality or impressiveness, while "greater" indicates a larger quantity or extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greater part of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a significant, but not necessarily the majority, portion of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

32%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a greater part of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a significant portion or share of something. Grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, it effectively conveys the idea of quantity without necessarily indicating a majority. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. While alternatives like ""a larger portion of"" or ""a significant fraction of"" exist, "a greater part of" remains a precise and useful choice. Remember to avoid the common mistake of substituting "greater" with "great", ensuring accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a larger portion of

Focuses on size and proportion, similar to the original phrase but emphasizes quantity.

a significant fraction of

Highlights the importance of the portion being described as both sizable and meaningful.

a major share of

Emphasizes the contribution of the portion to the whole, useful in contexts of responsibility or ownership.

a considerable segment of

Suggests the portion is notable and worth considering, often used when discussing populations or groups.

the majority of

Indicates more than half, a clear and direct way to express a dominant portion.

a substantial amount of

Focuses on the quantity or volume of the portion, suitable for measurable items.

a good deal of

An informal way to suggest a large quantity or portion, suitable for less formal contexts.

a sizable chunk of

Implies a notably large and potentially impactful portion, often used in financial or resource-related contexts.

a predominant section of

Highlights the dominance or prevalence of the portion being described, useful when emphasizing influence or visibility.

a notable piece of

Focuses on the importance or remarkability of the portion, suitable when emphasizing significance over sheer size.

FAQs

How can I use "a greater part of" in a sentence?

The phrase "a greater part of" indicates that a significant portion of something is being referred to. For example, "A greater part of the budget was allocated to research and development".

What are some alternatives to "a greater part of"?

Alternatives include "a larger portion of", "a significant fraction of", or "a major share of", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a great part of" instead of "a greater part of"?

While "great" can indicate a large amount, "greater" is more precise when comparing quantities or portions. Using "a greater part of" is generally preferred for accuracy when referring to a larger portion.

What is the difference between "a greater part of" and "the greater part of"?

"A greater part of" implies a comparison, suggesting that one portion is larger than another. "The greater part of" typically refers to the majority or largest portion of something, without necessarily implying a specific comparison.