a substantial majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant portion or a large percentage of a group or population. Example: "A substantial majority of the voters supported the new policy in the recent election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A substantial majority of (1) favors a public option.

The New Yorker

A substantial majority of Americans favored the outcome.

The New York Times

Polls show a substantial majority of Americans support embryonic stem cell research.

The New York Times

A substantial majority of the electorate admired him and trusted his leadership in crises.

The New York Times - Books

A substantial majority of Tory MPs would once have gone to public schools.

The Guardian

A substantial majority of Scottish MPs, chiefly Labour and SNP, opposed the sell-off.

The Guardian

True, not every Republican policy is opposed by a substantial majority of Americans.

The New Yorker

Regulatory filings show that "a substantial majority" of Ablecom's sales come from Super Micro.

The New York Times - Tech

Polls show that a substantial majority of Americans are opposed to it.

The New York Times

In a dramatic decision, a substantial majority of the members voted against the duce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A substantial majority of voters (twice) elected Ariel Sharon to do just that.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial majority of", ensure that the context clearly defines the group or population being discussed to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a substantial majority of voters" or "a substantial majority of scientists".

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial majority of" when the actual percentage is only slightly above 50%. In such cases, consider using "slightly more than half" or "a slim majority" for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial majority of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It indicates that a significantly large portion of a group or population possesses a particular characteristic or shares a specific opinion. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, such as political preferences, public opinions, and research findings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial majority of" is a determiner phrase used to indicate that a notably large portion of a group shares a characteristic or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's most appropriate for neutral to formal communication. Remember to be precise when defining the group being discussed and avoid overstating the actual percentage. Using alternatives like "a significant proportion of" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant proportion of

Replaces "majority" with "proportion", focusing on the ratio rather than the headcount.

a dominant share of

Highlights that the proportion being mentioned is greater than every other section, and possibly has greater power or influence.

a large segment of

Emphasizes that a significant section of the group is being referred to.

a notable section of

Highlights that the part being referenced is worth noting.

the greater part of

Suggests something slightly more than half, yet approaching the complete.

the bulk of

Implies the largest portion or main mass of something.

a considerable number of

Uses "number" instead of "majority", emphasizing quantity but reducing the sense of dominance.

a sizable fraction of

Replaces "majority" with "fraction", suggesting a part of a whole.

a good percentage of

More informal than the original, using "percentage" to quantify the portion.

most of

A simpler and less formal way to indicate that more than half are included.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial majority of" to indicate that a significantly large portion of a group shares a particular characteristic or opinion. For example, "A substantial majority of Americans support stricter gun control laws".

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant proportion of", "a considerable number of", or "a large segment of" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "a substantial majority of" or "most of"?

"A substantial majority of" implies a larger and more significant portion than "most of". Use "a substantial majority of" when you want to emphasize the size and importance of the majority.

When should I use "a substantial majority of" instead of "a simple majority of"?

Use "a simple majority of" when something requires just over 50% support. Use "a substantial majority of" when significantly more than 50% is involved, highlighting stronger agreement or support.