a slight majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group has more than half of the total votes or support, but only by a small margin. Example: "In the recent election, the candidate won with a slight majority, securing just over 50% of the votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The current Parliament has a slight majority of conservative members.

The New York Times

(For those wondering, a slight majority leaned towards the Republicans).

The Economist

Sales from foreign carmakers made up a slight majority of the market last year.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, polls show that a slight majority of Americans now favour restrictions on guns.

The Guardian

The vote in the Assembly, where Republicans held a slight majority, was 95-2.

The New Yorker

Of these, a slight majority were either noncompliant with guidelines or plainly inappropriate.

The Guardian - Opinion

By all accounts, the antiwhaling forces retain a slight majority on basic issues.

The New York Times

But Time Warner would have a slight majority on the board of directors and ultimate control.

The New York Times

The Western-backed coalition, led by Mr. Hariri, holds a slight majority in Parliament.

The New York Times

Polls show that a slight majority of New Jersey voters support same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

When Mr. Obama took office a slight majority supported closing it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight majority", ensure the context clearly indicates what constitutes the whole. For example, "A slight majority of voters (51%) supported the measure."

Common error

Avoid overstating the implications of "a slight majority". It indicates a preference, but not necessarily a strong endorsement. Don't assume it represents overwhelming support or guarantees success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight majority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly denotes a quantity or proportion that is just over half of the total.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a situation where a group or option has a small numerical advantage over half of the total. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's prevalent in news and media and scientific sources, and while versatile, it's important to avoid overstating its implications. Alternatives such as "a narrow majority" or "a small majority" can be used to convey similar meanings. Remember to always clearly define the "whole" when using this phrase for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a narrow majority

Replaces "slight" with "narrow", emphasizing the small difference.

a small majority

Uses "small" instead of "slight", indicating a minimal surplus.

a marginal majority

Emphasizes that the majority is barely over the halfway point.

a slim majority

Highlights the thin margin of the majority.

a thin majority

Similar to "slim", indicating a delicate majority.

a bare majority

Implies the majority is the absolute minimum required.

a simple majority

Refers to having more than half of the votes or members

slightly more than half

More descriptive, explicitly stating the relative quantity

just over half

Descriptive phrase indicating a quantity a little greater than fifty percent

a touch over half

Uses "touch" to highlight just how small the amount over half is.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight majority" to indicate that a little more than half of a group agrees on something. For example, "A slight majority of the board members voted in favor of the proposal.

What can I say instead of "a slight majority"?

You can use alternatives like "a narrow majority", "a small majority", or "a marginal majority" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it accurate to describe a 51% result as "a slight majority"?

Yes, a 51% result can accurately be described as "a slight majority". The term indicates that the group in question barely exceeds 50%.

What's the difference between "a slight majority" and "a significant majority"?

"A slight majority" indicates a narrow margin over 50%, while a significant majority implies a much larger proportion, often well over 60% or 70%.