a major portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant part of something, often in contexts involving analysis, reports, or discussions about quantities or contributions. Example: "A major portion of the budget will be allocated to research and development this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Agricultural and Food Economics

News & Media

Encyclopedia Britannica

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, observation shows that majority of farmers who adopt MVs devote a major portion of their landholding to MVs adoption.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Infrastructure for vehicles takes up a major portion of urban areas.

The Guardian

"Some investors have seen a major portion of their investments vaporize," Mr. McManus said.

The New York Times

A major portion of the Mets' off-season plan hinged on Cedeño's handling center.

The New York Times - Sports

A major portion of the health care industry is in shambles.

The New York Times

A major portion of his apartment, too, since Mr. Lee installed a separate freezer.

The New York Times

Not long afterward, the Macklowes lost a major portion of their real estate empire.

The New York Times

Both France and Japan generate a major portion of their electricity using nuclear power.

The New York Times

I promise: You will find you have highlighted a major portion of the text.

The New York Times

Reexports constitute a major portion of the goods shipped out of Hong Kong.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Animal resources constitute a major portion of the economies of most South American countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major portion" when you want to emphasize that a significant part of something is being discussed, without necessarily specifying an exact quantity or percentage. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a major portion" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "a significant percentage" or "the majority" to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major portion" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a significant part of it is being referred to. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used across various contexts to denote a substantial amount or share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Agricultural and Food Economics

1%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major portion" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant part of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While generally appropriate, consider more precise alternatives in highly formal writing. Remember that it indicates a substantial amount but doesn't necessarily imply a majority. Its usage frequency is high, making it a common and readily understood expression. When communicating about portions that are significant but not precisely quantified, "a major portion" serves as a reliable and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large segment

Similar in meaning, but uses more common vocabulary.

a significant fraction

Replaces "portion" with "fraction", emphasizing the part-to-whole relationship.

the greater part

Emphasizes that the portion is larger than any other individual part.

a considerable segment

Uses "segment" instead of "portion", suggesting a distinct section or part.

a notable share

Focuses on the aspect of distribution or contribution.

a substantial percentage

Replaces "portion" with "percentage", quantifying the amount more precisely.

a majority

Implies more than half, focusing on dominance in quantity.

a prominent piece

Highlights the importance or visibility of the part.

a sizable chunk

More informal, implying a considerable but not necessarily precisely defined amount.

a good deal

Less formal, indicating a substantial amount in a general sense.

FAQs

How can I use "a major portion" in a sentence?

You can use "a major portion" to indicate a significant part of something. For example, "A major portion of the budget is allocated to research."

What are some alternatives to saying "a major portion"?

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

Is "a major portion" the same as "a majority"?

While both indicate a large part, "a majority" typically implies more than 50%, whereas "a major portion" can refer to a significant part that may not necessarily exceed 50%.

When is it appropriate to use "a major portion" versus "a large part"?

"A major portion" and "a large part" are often interchangeable, but "a major portion" can sound slightly more formal and emphasizes significance, while "a large part" is generally more casual.