a small majority

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small majority" is a valid phrase in English and can be used in written English.
For example, "The board of directors voted in favor of the new plan with a small majority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've got a small majority.

The Guardian

They are, by a small majority, male.

The Guardian - Film

They might even sneak a small majority.

The Guardian

History is confounded as both Jims win a small majority.

The Guardian - Books

In the event, the Tories won a small majority.

The Guardian

A small majority of the people are Roman Catholic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A Tory government with a small majority would have been trapped by its own parliamentary extremists.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pro-subway forces in the legislature gained a small majority.

The New Yorker

The governing March 14 coalition has a small majority in Parliament.

The New York Times

It revealed that a small majority, 51.0 per cent, of all BBC hires were internal applicants.

The Guardian

But recent polling has shown a small majority in favour of marriage equality.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance precision when discussing "a small majority", consider including numerical data, like percentages or specific vote counts.

Common error

Avoid overstating the significance of "a small majority". Acknowledge its limited strength to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small majority" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It quantifies the extent of a majority, indicating it is not substantial but still represents more than half. The Ludwig AI confirms that "a small majority" is a valid phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small majority" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a situation where one group or option has slightly more than half of the votes or support. The phrase is used across various domains, but most frequently in "News & Media". While generally neutral in register, it's essential to provide context and avoid overstating the significance of a small majority. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase and its frequent use in English. Related phrases, such as "a narrow majority" or "a slim majority", can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a narrow majority

Focuses on the closeness of the numbers, emphasizing the slight difference between the groups.

a slim majority

Similar to "narrow majority", it suggests the majority is barely holding.

a slight majority

Highlights the small degree by which one group exceeds the other.

a marginal majority

Implies the majority is not substantial and could easily change.

a bare majority

Indicates the minimum number required to form a majority.

a simple majority

Refers to a majority greater than 50% but doesn't specify the extent.

a small preponderance

Uses "preponderance" to emphasize a greater weight or influence, though still small.

a modest majority

Suggests the majority is not overwhelming or significant.

just over half

More colloquial and numerical, specifying the relative size of the group.

slightly more than half

Similar to "just over half", providing a rough numerical estimate.

FAQs

How to use "a small majority" in a sentence?

You can use "a small majority" to describe situations where a group or option has slightly more than half of the votes or support. For example, "The proposal passed with "a small majority" of 52%."

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

You can use alternatives like "a narrow majority", "a slim majority", or "a slight majority" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a small majority" or "a large majority"?

Both phrases are correct, but they describe different situations. "A small majority" indicates a close decision, while "a large majority" suggests overwhelming support.

What's the difference between "a small majority" and "a plurality"?

"A small majority" means more than 50% of the votes or support. A plurality means receiving more votes than any other candidate or option, but not necessarily more than 50%.