achieve a majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve a majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as voting, decision-making, or any situation where a group needs to reach a consensus or a certain level of support. Example: "In order to pass the new policy, we need to achieve a majority in the upcoming vote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Neither major political party in Israel (the Likud and Labor Parties) could achieve a majority vote in the Knesset without support from the more religious parties.

Wikipedia

That would achieve a majority of two.

The Guardian

The Concertación hopes to achieve a majority in both houses.

The Economist

The pitch: Democrats can't achieve a majority in Congress without running candidates who oppose abortion.

The New York Times

Chirac (France) presents proposal.Verhofstadt (Belgium): No. Too high threshold [to achieve a majority].

The Economist

Were they not to achieve a majority of seats, it is unclear what the outcome would be.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The moment signified the new order that Mr. Mandela had for decades fought to achieve: a majority-ruled nation where minority rights were protected by a Constitution and a bill of rights.

The New York Times

Many forecasts now are for a neck-and-neck race that could produce a squeaking Labour victory, or a "hung Parliament" in which neither major party achieves a majority.

The New York Times

HONG KONG — The low quality of debate between Australia's major political parties appears to have been one reason why neither achieved a majority in Saturday's election.

The New York Times

Stalin had now achieved a majority in the Politburo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2010, he achieved a majority of 8,765 over Labour, with the SNP trailing in third.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about elections or votes, use "achieve a majority" to clearly indicate that a candidate or party has obtained more than 50% of the votes or seats.

Common error

Avoid using "achieve a majority" when the subject only achieved a plurality (more votes than any other candidate, but less than 50% overall). A runoff election may be needed to then "achieve a majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve a majority" functions as a verb phrase acting upon a noun, indicating the action of successfully reaching a state where one group or option holds more than 50% of the total. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "achieve a majority" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of successfully reaching a state where one group or option holds more than 50% of the total. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various registers, particularly in news, political, and academic contexts. Related phrases include ""secure a majority"", "attain a majority", and "obtain a majority", each carrying subtle nuances in meaning. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject truly obtained more than 50% of the total, so as not to confuse with a plurality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secure a majority

Emphasizes the act of firmly obtaining a majority, suggesting a more proactive or strategic approach.

attain a majority

Highlights the successful reaching of a majority, often implying effort or progress over time.

obtain a majority

Focuses on the act of gaining or receiving a majority, often in a more passive or procedural sense.

gain a majority

Stresses the increase or growth that results in having a majority.

win a majority

Suggests achieving a majority through competition or conflict, such as in an election.

command a majority

Implies having the authority or influence to control a majority, rather than simply reaching it.

muster a majority

Indicates the effort to gather or assemble enough support to form a majority.

realize a majority

Focuses on the actualization or manifestation of a majority that was previously potential.

establish a majority

Highlights the process of setting up or creating a stable majority.

form a majority

Focuses on the action of creating or assembling a majority group.

FAQs

How to use "achieve a majority" in a sentence?

You can use "achieve a majority" in sentences like, "The party needed to "secure a majority" to pass the bill" or "The candidate failed to "win a majority" in the first round of voting".

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

You can use alternatives like "obtain a majority", "attain a majority", or "gain a majority depending on the context.

Which is correct, "achieve a majority" or "achieve majority"?

"Achieve a majority" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Achieve majority" is grammatically incorrect as it misses the article "a" before the noun "majority".

What is the difference between "achieve a majority" and "command a majority"?

"Achieve a majority" refers to the act of obtaining more than 50% of the votes or seats. "Command a majority" implies having the authority or influence to control a majority, suggesting a position of power.