a preponderance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preponderance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is in the majority or has greater weight or influence compared to something else. Example: "The study found a preponderance of evidence supporting the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The committee had a preponderance of aerospace industrialists.

The New York Times

Why does this committee have such a preponderance of attorneys?

The New York Times

There is a preponderance of right-handedness in academia, too.

The New York Times

A preponderance of pinot meunier adds fruit, but it's delicate.

The Times

Did he find a preponderance of evidence of obstruction?

The Washington Post

A preponderance of members, as it happens, are psychotherapists.

The New York Times

The Russians already had a preponderance of power in Europe, a preponderance of nuclear as well as conventional power.

The New York Times - Magazine

At present, we still have a preponderance of green.

The New York Times

A preponderance of evidence suggests that Keynes was right.

The New York Times

Similarly, literary affinities result in a preponderance of vocal works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under our experimental conditions the kinetic analysis shows a preponderance of prompt-NO formation.

Combustion and Flame

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a preponderance of" to indicate that one thing is more numerous, influential, or important than another. Ensure the context clearly shows what the 'preponderance' is compared to.

Common error

Avoid using "a preponderance of" loosely. In legal settings, it refers to a specific standard of proof, meaning the evidence shows something is more likely than not. Ensure your usage aligns with this, especially in legal or formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preponderance of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies exists in a greater quantity or has a more significant presence than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preponderance of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a majority or significant amount. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a determiner phrase functioning to indicate that one thing is more numerous, influential, or important than another. It is seen across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, academia, and scientific writing. While versatile, writers should be mindful of its formal tone and ensure it aligns with the intended audience and purpose. When seeking alternative expressions, consider phrases like "a majority of" or "a predominance of" to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a majority of

Indicates a quantity that is greater than half of a total, similar to "a preponderance of" but more focused on numerical dominance.

a predominance of

Emphasizes the state of being more noticeable or powerful, slightly stronger than "a preponderance of" in terms of influence.

a surplus of

Suggests an excess or overabundance, implying more than what is needed, while "a preponderance of" simply means a greater amount.

a high proportion of

Highlights the ratio or percentage, useful when quantifying the amount in relation to a whole, more specific than "a preponderance of".

a lion's share of

Indicates receiving the largest portion, often used informally to suggest an unfair advantage, differing from the neutral tone of "a preponderance of".

a bulk of

Focuses on the substantial size or volume, suitable when the amount is physically large, less abstract than "a preponderance of".

a significant number of

Stresses the importance or impact due to the quantity, while "a preponderance of" simply indicates a larger amount.

a glut of

Implies an excessive supply to the point of being problematic, unlike "a preponderance of" which does not carry a negative connotation.

a wealth of

Indicates a large and impressive amount, often used for positive attributes like knowledge or experience; "a preponderance of" is more neutral.

an abundance of

Suggests a plentiful supply, often implying a positive or beneficial situation, different from the neutral implication of "a preponderance of".

FAQs

How is "a preponderance of" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a preponderance of" is used to indicate that there is more of something than something else. For example, "There is "a preponderance of evidence" suggesting that..." or "The committee has "a preponderance of members" from the science department."

What are some alternatives to "a preponderance of"?

Some alternatives you can use instead of "a preponderance of" include "a majority of", "a predominance of", "a surplus of" or "a significant number of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a preponderance of" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a preponderance of" leans towards formal usage. In informal writing, consider simpler alternatives like "mostly", "a lot of", or "many", which may sound more natural depending on the context.

What does "a preponderance of evidence" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "a preponderance of evidence" is a standard of proof. It means that it is more likely than not that a fact is true. It's a lower standard than "clear and convincing evidence" or "beyond a reasonable doubt".