a significant majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large portion of a given group or population. For example, "A significant majority of the students at the school voted in favor of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

Stanford University

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

Columbia University

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

You sicken me". I suspect a significant majority of Americans would agree with that sentiment.

The Washington Post

The referendum, which was conducted relatively peacefully, passed with a significant majority of the vote.

Britannica

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

Advances in Space Research

A diagnosis other than CMV was made in a significant majority of patients (154).

Journal of Clinical Virology

"A significant majority of parents back a ban and it's now time for the government to act".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant majority of", ensure that the context clearly defines the total group or population being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant majority of" when the actual percentage is only slightly over 50%. Reserve this phrase for cases where the majority is substantial and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant majority of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a large and important portion of the group denoted by the noun shares a particular characteristic or attribute. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant majority of" is a versatile phrase used to express that a notably large portion of a group shares a particular attribute or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various writing styles. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, followed by academic and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, make sure to clarify the total group and avoid exaggerating the actual percentage. Consider alternatives like "a substantial portion of" or "most of" for variety. The most authoritative sources using this expression are The Guardian, The New York Times, and Forbes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A substantial portion of

Replaces 'majority' with 'portion', focusing on the amount or share rather than a strict count.

A considerable number of

Emphasizes the quantity being large and noteworthy.

A large segment of

Highlights a notable section or group within a larger whole.

The greater part of

More literary and emphasizes that most of something is accounted for.

Most of

Simplifies the phrase, retaining the core meaning of quantity.

A high percentage of

Quantifies the portion using percentage, offering a statistical nuance.

A dominant fraction of

Suggests a clear supremacy in numbers or influence.

An overwhelming proportion of

Indicates a very large and persuasive segment.

The lion's share of

Idiomatic expression indicating the biggest portion.

A good deal of

Suggests a considerable amount, but less formal than the original phrase.

FAQs

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

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

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

You can use alternatives like "a substantial portion of", "a considerable number of", or "most of" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant majority of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant majority of" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the context. In very formal or scientific contexts, a more precise quantification (e.g., "75% of") might be preferable if the data is available.

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

"A simple majority of" indicates just over 50%, whereas "a significant majority of" implies a much larger proportion, suggesting that the result or opinion is strongly favored by the group in question.