a thin majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thin majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group has a slight edge or advantage over another, often in the context of voting or decision-making. Example: "The proposal passed with a thin majority, indicating that opinions were nearly evenly split among the members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

His departure left a thin majority who favored Sullivan's return.

The Washington Post

Still, there are probably enough old-line voters to guarantee James a thin majority".

The New York Times

Parliament, where the center-left has a thin majority, will then hold a vote of confidence.

The New York Times

A thin majority is not always an obstacle to wielding power.

The New York Times

With a thin majority in the new parliament, he cannot afford to offend important interest groups.

The Economist

For Mr Cameron, recently returned with a thin majority, it is an unappealing time to give ground to political rivals.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That's a big call when your government holds office with a wafer thin majority relying on an independent member.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its new assessment on Wednesday has underlined that point, saying it was clear the government faced "political hurdles" in its attempts to reduce spending because it was ruling with "a very thin majority in the House of Representatives and a splintered Senate".

The Guardian

McGowan holds the seat on a wafer thin majority of just 0.3%, and will face a battle from Liberal party stalwart Sophie Mirabella – who McGowan unseated in the 2013 poll – in the upcoming federal election.

The Guardian

The B.J.P. government enjoys a very thin majority in Karnataka.

The New York Times

This was eventually held in October, producing a translucently thin majority for Labour that wasted away by 1976.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thin majority", consider the implications of this narrow margin. Does it suggest potential instability, difficulty in passing legislation, or a need for compromise?

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the long-term impact of decisions made with "a thin majority". While it might influence immediate outcomes, it does not guarantee lasting effects or sweeping changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thin majority" functions as a noun phrase, where "thin" modifies "majority". It describes the nature and size of the majority, indicating that it is small and potentially unstable. Ludwig provides numerous examples supporting this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thin majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a narrow advantage, especially in contexts like politics and decision-making. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. While alternatives like ""a narrow majority"" and ""a slim majority"" exist, "a thin majority" effectively conveys the idea of a potentially unstable and easily challenged outcome. When employing this phrase, consider its implications for the situation at hand, and avoid overstating its long-term significance. The phrase has neutral register and has common use in the News & Media domain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a narrow majority

Replaces "thin" with "narrow", emphasizing the small margin of difference.

a slight majority

Substitutes "thin" with "slight", indicating a small and potentially insignificant advantage.

a slim majority

Uses "slim" instead of "thin", suggesting a delicate and easily overturned advantage.

a marginal majority

Replaces "thin" with "marginal", highlighting that the majority is just barely sufficient.

a precarious majority

Emphasizes the unstable and uncertain nature of the majority.

a razor-edge majority

Emphasizes just how close the majority is, suggesting great risk.

a wafer-thin majority

Uses "wafer-thin" for dramatic effect, suggesting extreme fragility.

a bare majority

Indicates the majority is at the lowest possible level.

a fragile majority

Highlights the delicacy of the majority and the likelihood of it collapsing.

a tenuous majority

Indicates the majority is weak and easily challenged.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thin majority" to describe situations where one group barely outnumbers another, such as "The bill passed with "a thin majority" in the Senate".

What are some alternatives to "a thin majority"?

Alternatives include "a narrow majority", "a slim majority", or "a slight majority", each emphasizing the small margin of victory.

Is it correct to say "a thin majority"?

Yes, "a thin majority" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where a group has a small lead over another. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct.

What does "a thin majority" imply about the stability of a decision?

"A thin majority" often suggests that the decision is not very stable and could be easily overturned if even a small number of people change their minds. It highlights the potential for ongoing debate and challenges.