absorb the bulk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absorb the bulk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity to take in or incorporate the majority of something, such as information, resources, or materials. Example: "The sponge is designed to absorb the bulk of the liquid spilled on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

These employees absorb the bulk of the bonus pool.

The Economist

Harrington is expected to absorb the bulk of Camby's minutes on the front line.

The New York Times - Sports

Although Chris Dudley and Kurt Thomas will probably see more playing time, Ewing will absorb the bulk of Camby's minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

The main campus will absorb the bulk of the savings through cuts in the administration and academic programs.

The New York Times

Barclays Capital, the investment bank, will absorb the bulk of the losses, 1,300 in total, while the wealth management unit will lose 500 positions and Barclays Global Investors 300.

The New York Times

And while some of China's foreign exchange reserves are plowed into European and Japanese debt, those bond markets are not big or liquid enough to absorb the bulk of China's ever-larger foreign holdings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The state absorbed the bulk of the $30 million construction costs while the county borrowed $5 million to pay for its share.

The New York Times

The Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Citizens United has absorbed the bulk of the attention when it comes to recent changes on the campaign finance landscape.

The New York Times

And I'm writing it, yes, because the Catholic Church over the last two decades has absorbed the bulk of journalistic attention, my own included, in terms of child sexual abuse.

The New York Times

Building the welfare state after 1945 struck a big blow for centralisation, as the public services that absorbed the bulk of state spending were nationalised.

The Economist

Blickhahn had never lost a soldier in combat, but before he even climbed down into the ditch he could see that Seiden had absorbed the bulk of the blast and was dead.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "absorb the bulk", ensure that the subject performing the action has the capacity or mechanism to actually take in or manage the quantity being referred to. For example, a sponge can "absorb the bulk" of a spill, but a small business might struggle to "absorb the bulk" of new regulations.

Common error

Avoid using "absorb the bulk" when the subject lacks the inherent ability or resources to genuinely take in or manage the quantity. For instance, it would be incorrect to say "the small town absorbed the bulk of the refugee crisis" if the town is clearly overwhelmed and unable to cope with the influx.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absorb the bulk" functions as a verb phrase where "absorb" is the transitive verb and "the bulk" is its direct object. It describes the action of taking in or incorporating the majority of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absorb the bulk" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies taking in or dealing with the majority of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed valid. It is commonly used in News & Media and Science contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, it is certainly recognizable and understandable. The semantic nuances suggest alternatives like "take in the majority" or "handle the largest part". Pay attention to ensure the subject has the capacity to perform the action. Remember that context is key to the proper use of "absorb the bulk". Its neutral register makes it adaptable to many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take in the majority

Replaces "absorb" with "take in" and "bulk" with "majority", focusing on the action of receiving the larger part.

handle the largest part

Emphasizes managing or dealing with the biggest section instead of incorporating it.

process the main portion

Highlights transforming or working on the major section of something.

manage the greater part

Focuses on overseeing and controlling the larger fraction.

deal with the mass

Uses "mass" instead of "bulk", shifting the focus to handling a large quantity.

cater for the largest part

Suggests providing or supplying for the main section or group.

cover the majority

Indicates addressing or dealing with most of something.

incorporate the mass

Focuses on including the large quantity into something else.

assimilate the largest segment

Highlights the process of fully understanding and integrating the most significant part.

ingest the principal amount

Implies taking in or consuming the largest quantity, often used in a more formal context.

FAQs

How can I use "absorb the bulk" in a sentence?

You can use "absorb the bulk" to describe something that takes in or deals with the majority of something else. For example, "The new sponge is designed to "absorb the bulk" of the spilled water" or "The company will "absorb the bulk" of the increased costs."

What are some alternatives to "absorb the bulk"?

Some alternatives to "absorb the bulk" include "take in the majority", "handle the largest part", or "process the main portion". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "absorb the bulk" or "absorb the majority"?

"Absorb the bulk" and "absorb the majority" are very similar, but ""absorb the bulk"" is often used when referring to physical quantities or resources, while "absorb the majority" might be preferred when discussing abstract concepts or opinions.

What does it mean to say a company "absorbs the bulk" of costs?

When a company "absorbs the bulk" of costs, it means the company is covering most of the expenses themselves rather than passing them on to consumers or other parties.