account for a majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "account for a majority" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe when one entity has the most (or a majority) of something when compared to other entities. For example, "Sheep account for a majority of the animals at the petting zoo."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, biofilm formation is a major virulence attribute of microorganisms and account for a majority of human infections.

Archives of Oral Biology

In any case, under UN rules, a decision by five major economies – even if they did account for a majority of global emissions – simply did not count.

The Guardian

Nonmanufacturing businesses account for a majority of the economy.

The New York Times

Mr. Friedman noted that immigrants and minorities account for a majority of the production work force.

The New York Times

Mr. Scrushy said HealthSouth does not account for a majority of sales at Source Medical.

The New York Times

Jiang, B. Street hierarchies: a minority of streets account for a majority of traffic flow.

Nature

Coconut products, copra, cacao, and beer account for a majority of exports.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She said striking clinics, which account for a majority of abortions in the country, would accept only emergency cases.

The New York Times

Electric power plants and automobiles account for a majority of the carbon dioxide emissions in the nation.

The New York Times

Corporate and private planes like the ones that use Teterboro account for a majority of all incursions, Ms. Brown said.

The New York Times

Border crossings don't even account for a majority of the people joining the unauthorized population in a given year.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "account for a majority", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes the whole and what is being accounted for. For example: "Renewable energy sources account for a majority of the country's power generation."

Common error

Avoid using "account for a majority" when the actual percentage is close to 50% or less. While technically it can represent just over half, it often implies a significantly larger portion. Consider alternatives like "represent a significant portion" if the majority is slim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "account for a majority" functions as a quantitative descriptor, specifying that a particular subset comprises more than half of a given whole. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating the proportional relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "account for a majority" is a widely used phrase that signifies a component constituting more than half of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in news articles and scientific publications. While synonyms like "constitute a majority" and "represent a majority" exist, choosing the right one depends on the specific context. Remember to ensure the context clearly defines the scope and to avoid using it when the portion is only slightly over 50%. Overall, understanding its proper usage will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute a majority

This alternative uses "constitute" instead of "account for", slightly emphasizing the composition of the majority.

represent a majority

Using "represent" focuses on the idea of standing in for or being typical of the majority.

form a majority

This phrase highlights the act of creating or establishing the majority.

comprise a majority

Similar to "constitute", "comprise" emphasizes the parts that make up the majority.

make up a majority

A more informal way of saying "comprise a majority".

are the majority of

This alternative rephrases the sentence to focus on what the subject consists of, highlighting the group in question.

dominate the share

"Dominate" indicates a stronger influence or control over the share being considered.

hold the largest part

This phrase emphasizes the size of the part held, relative to others.

control the greater part

"Control" suggests influence or authority over the larger portion.

predominate in

"Predominate" implies being the most noticeable or powerful element within a group.

FAQs

How can I use "account for a majority" in a sentence?

Use "account for a majority" to indicate that a particular element constitutes more than half of a whole. For example, "Sales from online channels "account for a majority" of the company’s revenue."

What is a more formal way to say "account for a majority"?

More formal alternatives include "constitute a majority" or "represent a majority". These phrases maintain the meaning while lending a more sophisticated tone to your writing.

What can I say instead of "account for a majority" if the portion is not strictly a majority but still significant?

If the portion is substantial but not technically a majority, consider phrases like "represent a significant portion", "comprise a large share", or "constitute a considerable part".

Is there a difference between "constitute a majority" and "account for a majority"?

While similar, "constitute a majority" often implies a structural or essential role in forming the majority, whereas "account for a majority" focuses on the numerical proportion.