a sweeping majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sweeping majority" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large and decisive majority in a vote or decision. Example: In the recent election, the candidate won by a sweeping majority, receiving over 70% of the votes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Last month, Abkhazia held presidential elections, where the incumbent, Sergey Bagapsh was re-elected with a sweeping majority for another five years.

Independent

The best they could hope for, analysts said, was to prevent Mr. Rajapaksa's party from winning a sweeping majority that would allow it to rewrite the Constitution.

The New York Times

Riding a wave of disaffection at Ms Mayawati's autocratic rule, his Samajwadi (Socialist) party unexpectedly won a sweeping majority in elections for the state assembly in March.

The Economist

Hugo Chavez has a six-year presidential term, a new Constitution drawn up to his specifications and a sweeping majority in the National Assembly.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) — In a new poll conducted on Wednesday, a sweeping majority of Americans said they support moving Donald J. Trump to Jerusalem.

The New Yorker

The plan has the backing of an 18-party alliance that won a sweeping majority in the Serbian Parliament last month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Two out of three American Roman Catholics who attend Mass regularly say the nation's bishops have done a "bad job" facing the crisis of sexual misconduct by priests, and a more sweeping majority says each bishop should make a full disclosure of the scandal's financial costs, according to a new survey.

The New York Times

The other two coalition partners, the Pasok socialists and the conservative New Democracy, have a sweeping parliamentary majority and do not need Karatzaferis's 16 votes.

The Guardian

Elected to the court by a sweeping Senate majority of 99-0 (the missing senator, Max Baucus of Montana, sent her a copy of Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It as an apology for his absence), she was clearly a popular choice – even if it was due in large part to Reagan's popularity at the time.

The Guardian

The Republican minority said even the sweeping majority report is simplistic as it ignores a credit bubble that went beyond US housing, and indeed beyond US borders.

Independent

In his first news conference following the sweeping majority Liberal victory in Canada's federal election, the visibly fatigued leader said he had spoken with US president Barack Obama in a phone call during which he discussed his intention to pull Canada's fighter jets out of the anti-Isis campaign.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sweeping majority" when you want to emphasize the magnitude and decisiveness of a victory or agreement. It suggests not just a simple majority, but a significant and undeniable level of support.

Common error

Avoid using "a sweeping majority" when you mean a general or broad consensus. "Sweeping" implies a decisive numerical advantage, whereas "general" suggests a less defined agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sweeping majority" typically functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes the extent of support or agreement, emphasizing a substantial level of dominance. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

4%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sweeping majority" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a large and decisive majority, primarily in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase indicates not just a simple majority, but a considerable and undeniable level of support. When writing, use it to emphasize the magnitude and decisiveness of a victory or agreement. Be mindful not to confuse it with a general consensus or broad agreement. Consider alternatives like "an overwhelming majority" or "a substantial majority" to add nuance, and remember its prevalence in news reporting for impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overwhelming majority

Emphasizes the dominance of one side, creating a bigger semantic difference than "large majority".

a commanding majority

Suggests authority and control held by the majority.

a decisive majority

Highlights the clarity and conclusiveness of the majority.

a substantial majority

Implies a considerable but not necessarily complete dominance.

a landslide victory

Conveys an image of overwhelming success and scale.

a dominant majority

Emphasizes the power and influence of the majority.

a considerable majority

Indicates a significant portion, but with a lower degree of dominance.

a significant majority

Similar to "substantial", but slightly less emphatic.

a clear majority

Focuses on the unambiguous nature of the majority.

a comfortable majority

Implies a secure and untroubled level of support.

FAQs

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

Use "a sweeping majority" to describe a situation where one group or option has significantly more support than others. For example, "The bill passed with "a sweeping majority" in the Senate".

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

You can use alternatives like "an overwhelming majority", "a substantial majority", or "a decisive majority depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a vast majority" or "a sweeping majority"?

"A vast majority" indicates a very large number or proportion, while "a sweeping majority" emphasizes the decisiveness and comprehensive nature of the majority. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "a simple majority" and "a sweeping majority"?

A "simple majority" is just over 50%, while ""a sweeping majority"" indicates a much larger and more decisive margin of victory or support.