a majority of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a majority of them" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a larger portion or number of a group or set. Example: A majority of them voted in favor of the new policy. In this sentence, "a majority of them" is referring to a larger number of people within a group who voted in favor of the new policy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A majority of them do.

The New York Times - Sports

A majority of them, however, are xenophobes.

The New Yorker

A majority of them are the children of immigrants.

The New York Times

A majority of them hail from scheduled caste and minorities.

The New York Times

The presence of a majority of them can be explained by strain compatibility arguments.

Acta Materialia

A majority of them displayed significant inhibitory potency and specific selectivity over PTP1B.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

"I really felt that a majority of them were getting in over their heads," he said.

The New York Times

A majority of them mistakenly believe that Medicare will pay for their care.

The New York Times

Millions of Americans — indeed, a majority of them — agree with you.

The New York Times

At least a majority of them still blame your predecessor for the gasping economy.

The New York Times

By spring, a majority of them had signed cards asking that their union be recognized.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a majority of them" when you want to indicate that more than half of a specific group shares a characteristic or performs an action. Ensure the context clearly defines the 'them' to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a majority of them" can sometimes sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider using more precise language like "the greater part" or specifying the percentage when possible to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a majority of them" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying that more than half of a particular group is being referred to. It is used to quantify the portion of a group that shares a common characteristic or action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a majority of them" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that more than half of a specified group shares a common attribute or action. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources, including news, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, consider using more precise language in highly formal settings or when a specific percentage is known. Common alternatives include "most of them" or "the greater part of them", depending on the desired tone and emphasis. The analysis of Ludwig's examples indicates that it is most frequently used in News & Media, followed by Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most of them

A more direct and slightly less formal way to indicate that the greater number of individuals within a group share a particular trait or characteristic.

the greater part of them

This alternative is more formal, emphasizing the significant portion, but is less commonly used in everyday conversation.

the bulk of them

This phrase shifts the focus to the size or quantity of the majority, suggesting a substantial amount.

a large proportion of them

This option emphasizes the numerical aspect, highlighting that a considerable fraction of the group is being referred to.

a good many of them

This alternative indicates a sizable number, but carries a more informal tone.

the majority within that group

Focuses on clarifying that the majority exists within a specific group.

most individuals among them

Replaces "of them" with a more direct reference to individuals.

a prevalent number of them

Highlights the prevalence or commonality within the group.

a dominant segment of them

Suggests that the majority represents a powerful or influential segment within the group.

over half of them

A more precise way of indicating that more than 50% of the group is being discussed.

FAQs

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

Use "a majority of them" to indicate that more than half of a group shares a certain characteristic or action. For example, "A majority of them voted in favor of the proposal".

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

Similar phrases include "most of them", "the greater part of them", or "a large proportion of them".

Is it better to say "a majority of them" or "most of them"?

Both phrases are generally acceptable. "A majority of them" is slightly more formal, while "most of them" is more common in everyday speech. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Can "a majority of them" be used with singular nouns?

No, "a majority of them" should only be used with plural nouns or pronouns, as it refers to a group of individuals or items.