a significant majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large portion of a group or population that holds a particular opinion or characteristic. Example: "In the recent survey, a significant majority of participants expressed their support for the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A month ago, a significant majority in that poll said he should.

Los Angeles Times

There's a significant majority believing this is a disaster.

The Guardian

Less than a quarter (22.6%) claim to do so, while a significant majority (77.4%) do not.

Stanford University

Surprisingly, instant loss ultimately accounts for a significant majority of disassembly events.

Stanford University

And a significant majority of cerebral palsy patients—nearly 9 out of 10 reach adulthood.

Columbia University

By contrast, the Republican Party is viewed unfavorably by a significant majority of Americans.

The New York Times

"A significant majority voted in support of a reform program that was completely advocated, advertised, trumpeted".

The New York Times

But a significant majority of "Nutcracker" fans did not seem to care.

The New York Times - Arts

Opinion polls show a significant majority of Scottish voters want to stay in the EU.

The Guardian

And a significant majority of us find their views abhorrent and almost even barbaric.

The New Yorker

A significant majority of these beams were moving in a tailward direction.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a significant majority" with specific data or evidence to enhance credibility. For example, "A significant majority (75%) of respondents agreed..."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant majority" when the actual percentage is only slightly over 50%. If the majority is marginal, opt for a more precise term like "slightly more than half" or "a bare majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant majority" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (often implied or explicitly stated) to indicate that a considerable portion of a group is being referenced. It is used to quantify the extent of agreement or prevalence of a particular characteristic. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant majority" is a versatile phrase used to denote a considerably large portion of a group, sharing an opinion or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific literature. While alternatives exist, the choice depends on the desired emphasis and nuance. Ensure accurate usage by relating the phrase to a clearly defined group and avoiding it when the majority is marginal. Understanding these nuances helps writers effectively convey the magnitude of support or prevalence in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial majority

Replaces "significant" with "substantial", emphasizing the size of the majority.

a considerable majority

Uses "considerable" instead of "significant", highlighting the importance of the majority.

a vast majority

Emphasizes the scale, suggesting a very large majority.

a large majority

A simpler alternative, replacing "significant" with "large", focusing on the size.

the great majority

Uses "great" instead of "significant", indicating a notable majority.

the predominant number

Focuses on the prevailing amount or quantity.

most people

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that the majority holds a certain view or characteristic.

a dominant portion

Indicates that a large segment is in control.

the bulk of

Refers to the main part of something.

the lion's share

This is a metaphor that refers to the biggest part.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant majority" to indicate that a considerably large portion of a group shares a particular opinion or characteristic. For example: "A significant majority of voters support the new policy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant majority"?

Alternatives include "a substantial majority", "a considerable majority", or "a large majority", depending on the desired emphasis and context.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant majority" when the percentage is close to 50%?

It's best to avoid using "a significant majority" when the percentage is only slightly above 50%. In such cases, using terms like "slightly more than half" or "a bare majority" provides a more accurate representation.

What distinguishes "a significant majority" from "a simple majority"?

"A significant majority" implies a noticeably large proportion, whereas a simple majority only requires more than half. The term "significant" emphasizes that the proportion is noteworthy.