a majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a number larger than half of a group. For example, "A majority of the voters chose to support the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A majority of them do.

The New York Times - Sports

A majority of that goes toward CrossFit.

The New York Times

A majority of House Democrats are signatories.

The New York Times

A majority of people support these ideas.

The New Yorker

A majority of the staff is local.

The New York Times

A majority of blacks now support vouchers.

The Economist

So do a majority of Arabs.

The New York Times

That would achieve a majority of two.

The Guardian

A majority of the crowd raised hands.

The New York Times - Tech

That's a majority of its recipients.

The New York Times

Today, a majority of Hispanics are Democrats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a majority of", ensure the context clearly defines the total group being referenced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity about what constitutes the majority.

Common error

Avoid using "a majority of" without a clear reference to the total group. For instance, instead of saying "A majority disagree", specify "A majority of voters disagree" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a majority of" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a quantity greater than half of a particular group or set. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, from political opinions to statistical data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a majority of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that more than half of a group shares a particular attribute or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific writing. Alternatives like "more than half of" or "most of" can be used depending on the context and desired level of formality. When using "a majority of", ensure the total group being referenced is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than half of

Replaces "a majority of" with a more direct and less formal expression of quantity.

most of

Offers a simpler and more general way to indicate the greater part of a group.

the greater part of

Provides a more formal and emphatic way to express that something constitutes the larger portion.

a large proportion of

Emphasizes the size and significance of the portion being referred to.

a significant number of

Highlights the importance and quantity of the group or set.

over 50% of

Uses a precise numerical threshold to define what exceeds half of a group.

the bulk of

Conveys that something comprises the largest or main part of a whole.

a preponderance of

Indicates that there is a greater weight or influence in one direction.

the lion's share of

Suggests that the largest portion is disproportionately large, implying dominance.

a high percentage of

Focuses on the numerical aspect, specifying that a considerable portion is involved.

FAQs

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

Use "a majority of" to indicate that more than half of a group shares a characteristic or opinion. For example, "A majority of students preferred the new schedule".

What are some alternatives to "a majority of"?

Alternatives include "more than half of", "most of", or "the greater part of". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the majority is" instead of "a majority of are"?

When using "a majority of", the verb should agree with the noun following "of". Thus, if the noun is plural (e.g., students), use "are"; if it's singular (e.g., the vote), use "is".

What is the difference between "a majority of" and "a plurality of"?

"A majority of" means more than 50%, while "a plurality of" simply means more than any other group, but not necessarily more than half.