a slender majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slender majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group holds a majority, but the margin is small or narrow. Example: "In the recent vote, the proposal passed with a slender majority, indicating that opinions were closely divided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

David Cameron's government has a slender majority of 16.

The Guardian

Mr Trimble won only a slender majority of the unionist vote.

The Economist

A little less than a year ago he won a general election by a slender majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

And for the first time a slender majority, against Mr Meciar's fierce opposition, say that Slovakia should join NATO too.

The Economist

With Labour facing firstly a hung parliament and then a slender majority, we see the whips coming into their own.

The Guardian

The faction controls seven seats in Parliament, which would give Mr. Sharon a slender majority of 62 votes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Dominic Sandbrook is a historian whose books include Never Had It So Good and Mad as Hell The 1964 general election was hotly contested and narrowly decided – power went to Labour by an exceedingly slender majority.

The Guardian

Bob Katter's conditional support gives them half the seats, and one more gives them a majority – but only a slender 75-74 majoncey once the government elects a speaker.

The Guardian

But boundary changes had squeezed her already slender majority into a "notional' knife-edge of just 1,500.

BBC

It will need to defend Turnbull's Sydney seat of Wentworth at a looming byelection to defend its slender majority in the House of Representatives, with polls suggesting that voters are in a mood to punish the government.

The Guardian

In the Senate, Republicans hold a slender 51-49 majority.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your writing when describing "a slender majority", provide context about what factors contribute to its narrowness (e.g. "a slender majority due to shifting voter demographics").

Common error

Avoid implying long-term stability when describing "a slender majority". Emphasize its potential fragility and vulnerability to shifts in opinion or circumstance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slender majority" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the size of a majority, indicating that it is small and not substantial, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slender majority" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a situation where a group has won by a small margin. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various reliable sources. It's particularly frequent in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider its implications, highlighting potential instability rather than implying long-term stability. Alternatives like "a narrow majority" or "a slim majority" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Remember to provide context about the factors contributing to its narrowness for increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a narrow majority

Replaces "slender" with "narrow", emphasizing the small difference between the winning and losing sides.

a slim majority

Uses "slim" instead of "slender", conveying a similar meaning of a small and potentially unstable margin.

a marginal majority

Emphasizes that the majority is barely over the required threshold.

a slight majority

Indicates that the majority is small and not substantial.

a thin majority

Emphasizes the fragility and potential instability of the majority.

a bare majority

Highlights that the majority is just enough to achieve a win, with no room for error.

a razor-thin majority

Uses stronger imagery to convey an extremely narrow margin.

a precarious majority

Focuses on the instability and vulnerability of the majority.

a delicate majority

Highlights the fragility and need for careful handling of the majority.

a wafer-thin majority

Uses a metaphor to emphasize how easily the majority could be overturned.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slender majority" to describe a situation where a group or party has won by a small margin. For example, "The bill passed with "a slender majority", indicating a lack of widespread support."

What are some alternatives to "a slender majority"?

Alternatives to "a slender majority" include "a narrow majority", "a slim majority", or "a slight majority". These phrases all convey the idea of a small winning margin.

Which is more appropriate: "a slender majority" or "a significant majority"?

"A slender majority" and "a significant majority" describe opposite scenarios. Use "a slender majority" when the winning margin is small, and "a significant majority" when the winning margin is large and decisive.

What does it mean when a decision is made by "a slender majority"?

When a decision is made by "a slender majority", it means that the decision was approved, but only by a small margin. This suggests that there is considerable opposition or disagreement regarding the decision.