a major portion of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major portion of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant part of something previously mentioned, often in formal or academic writing. Example: "The report included various findings, a major portion of which highlighted the need for further research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both routes activate an innate immune response that includes the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and immune cell activation, a major portion of which has been attributed to the presence of immunostimulatory CpG motifs within the plasmid DNA vector.

Advances in Genetics

The discovery in 1978 that the v-Src oncogene was a protein kinase led to a "cascade" of research into the role of kinases in cell-signalling pathways, and the subsequent finding that human cancer can result from the activity of nonviral, endogenous oncogenes, a major portion of which code for protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) [ 1, 2].

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A major portion of these dairies, which have an average herd size of nearly 1000 animal units, are located in low-relief valleys and basins.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Hundred Days, in U.S. history, the early period of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency (March 9 June 19331933), during which a major portion of New Deal legislation was enacted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Following a lawsuit brought by Anis in 2012, the supreme court legalised abortion in cases of anencephaly, a condition in which a major portion of the brain is missing.

The Guardian

This failed to account for the effects of the flow on the upper surface of the plate where low pressures exist and from which a major portion of the lift of a wing is produced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Physical activities consume a major portion of energy in our daily life, which are usually reduced in the aging population.

Aging

That the methylated metabolites may conceivably play a pharmacodynamic role in the mammalian organism is borne out by a preliminary unpublished analysis of quercetin conjugates in bile conducted in our laboratory, according to which a major portion of drug-derived species generated in the rat organism was isorhamnetin.

British Journal of Cancer

But the traveler's tale, which occupies a major portion of this book, simply doesn't engage the mind.

The New York Times - Books

Several cities, including Frankfort and Bardstown, among others, are noted for their distilleries, which supply a major portion of the world's bourbon, as well as other beverages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1908 she received her Ph.D. for a dissertation on "The Labor Movement in America, 1827 1837," which became a major portion of the first two volumes of History of Labour in the United States (1918) by Commons and several students.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major portion of which" in formal or academic writing when you want to refer back to a previously mentioned item and emphasize that you are talking about a significant part of it. Ensure the antecedent is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a major portion of which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "much of it" or "a lot of it" are more appropriate for less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major portion of which" functions as a relative clause modifying a previously mentioned noun phrase. It specifies that a significant part of that noun phrase is being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms this, as the phrase is found in contexts where specification and further elaboration are needed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major portion of which" is a grammatically correct relative clause used to specify that a significant part of a previously mentioned noun phrase is being discussed. Ludwig AI highlights that it is suitable for formal, scientific, and academic writing, emphasizing precision. While its occurrence is relatively rare, its primary function is to provide additional information, narrowing the scope of the discussion. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "much of which" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant part of which

Replaces "major" with "significant", indicating a notable but not necessarily the largest part.

a large segment of which

Substitutes "portion" with "segment", suggesting a distinct and considerable section.

a substantial fraction of which

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

a considerable amount of which

Focuses on the quantity, using "amount" instead of "portion" to highlight volume or extent.

a good share of which

Uses "share" to imply a distributed part, suggesting a fair allocation.

much of which

Simplifies the phrasing while maintaining the emphasis on a large quantity.

a sizable chunk of which

Employs "chunk" for a more informal tone, implying a large and solid piece.

a primary component of which

Highlights the importance of the part, using "component" to emphasize its role.

the greater part of which

Emphasizes the relative size of the portion, suggesting it is larger than other parts.

a dominant aspect of which

Focuses on influence or prevalence, indicating that the portion is a leading feature.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to refer to a significant part of something previously mentioned. For example, "The study examined several factors, "a major portion of which" were related to environmental impact."

What's a simpler way to say "a major portion of which"?

Alternatives include "much of which", "a significant part of which", or "mostly". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "a major portion of that" grammatically correct instead of "a major portion of which"?

While "a major portion of that" is grammatically correct, it doesn't create a relative clause in the same way. "A major portion of which" allows you to add more information about the previously mentioned item. Using "that" instead of "which" often requires restructuring the sentence for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "a major portion of which"?

This phrase is suitable for formal writing, academic papers, or technical reports where precision and clarity are important. It's less appropriate in casual or informal contexts.