a vast majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a vast majority of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a large or overwhelming majority of people or things within a group. Example: A vast majority of students in the class scored above 90% on the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: Vast majority of US teenagers can't buy online easily.

TechCrunch

A vast majority of people say yes.

The New York Times

A vast majority of hallucinations are visual.

The New York Times - Health

A vast majority of Venezuelans support him.

The New York Times

Which is to say, a vast majority of Americans — even a vast majority of New Yorkers.

The New York Times

Banks, of course, file a vast majority of these reports.

The New York Times

A vast majority of Palestinians are Sunni Muslims.

The New York Times

A vast majority of corporations are small businesses.

The New York Times

A vast majority of the tresses enter at Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Ischemic strokes account for a vast majority of strokes.

The New York Times

A vast majority of State Department material is classified.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vast majority of", ensure that the context clearly defines the group or population being referred to. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast majority of" when the actual percentage is closer to just over half. If the majority is not overwhelmingly large, a more moderate term like "most" or "the majority" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast majority of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying the noun that follows. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to express that a significantly large portion of a group or population is being referenced. For example, "A vast majority of students..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast majority of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something applies to a large and significant portion of a group or population. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. To ensure accurate and effective communication, it's important to use this phrase when referring to a truly substantial majority, and not just a simple majority. Using alternatives like "most of" or "a significant proportion of" might be more appropriate when describing smaller majorities. By understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives, writers can more precisely convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overwhelming majority of

Emphasizes the strength and decisiveness of the majority.

most of

A more concise and common way to indicate a large portion.

a significant proportion of

Focuses on the considerable size of the group or quantity.

nearly all of

Suggests that almost everything or everyone is included.

a substantial number of

Highlights the notable quantity or amount.

the greater part of

Indicates the larger portion or segment.

the great bulk of

Implies the largest part or mass of something.

an extensive segment of

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the portion.

a dominant fraction of

Highlights the controlling influence of the fraction.

the lion's share of

Indicates the biggest portion, often suggesting it is more than half.

FAQs

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

Use "a vast majority of" to indicate that a significantly large portion of a group or population shares a particular characteristic or opinion. For example, "A vast majority of students find the online resources helpful".

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

You can use alternatives like "an overwhelming majority of", "a significant proportion of", or "most of" depending on the context.

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

Both "a vast majority of" and "the vast majority of" are grammatically correct, but "the vast majority of" typically refers to a specific, previously defined group, while "a vast majority of" can refer to a more general or undefined group.

What's the difference between "a majority" and "a vast majority of"?

"A majority" simply means more than half, while "a vast majority of" implies a much larger proportion, suggesting near unanimity or a very substantial prevalence. The phrase conveys the idea that the portion is significantly more than just above 50%.