an overall majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overall majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where a group or entity has more than half of the total votes or support in a decision-making process. Example: "In the recent election, the candidate secured an overall majority, allowing them to take office without the need for a coalition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then they won an overall majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two of the polls forecast an overall majority.

The Guardian

Some results pointed to an overall majority for the Conservatives.

Independent

That would give the government an overall majority.

The Economist

If one party has an overall majority well fine.

The Guardian

But few rate the Tories' chances of an overall majority with Ukip on the scene.

The Guardian

David Cameron won an overall majority – an outcome deemed near impossible based on pre-election polling.

The Guardian

No party had previously held an overall majority in the Scottish parliament.

The Guardian

There the Conservatives won 19 seats and an overall majority of two.

The Guardian - Opinion

With an overall majority, there would have been no need to reinforce their loyalty.

The Guardian

Those figures would leave the Tories six short of an overall majority.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase to describe situations beyond politics, such as market share or control within an organization, where a single entity possesses more than 50%.

Common error

Avoid using "an overall majority" when you mean a plurality (more votes than any other candidate but not necessarily more than half) or a simple majority (just over 50%). "Overall majority" specifically implies holding more than half of the total.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall majority" functions as a noun phrase that typically describes a situation in which a political party or group secures more than half of the available seats or votes in an election or decision-making body. Ludwig confirms this usage in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an overall majority" is commonly used to describe a situation where a party or group holds more than half of the seats or votes. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and sees it used frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business and Encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, remember that "an overall majority" differs from a simple majority or a plurality, as it specifically denotes holding more than half of the total. When writing, ensure you don't use it when you mean another kind of majority. Consider using alternatives like "a clear majority" or "outright majority" for variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear majority

Replaces "overall" with "clear", emphasizing the unambiguous nature of the majority.

an absolute majority

Substitutes "overall" with "absolute", highlighting the completeness and decisiveness of the majority.

outright majority

Replaces "overall" with "outright" stressing the direct and complete nature of the majority.

a decisive majority

Emphasizes that the majority is large enough to determine an outcome without significant opposition.

unqualified majority

Replaces "overall" with "unqualified" emphasizing that the majority isn't subject to any conditions or restrictions.

a commanding majority

Replaces "overall" with "commanding", stressing the strength and influence of the majority.

a simple majority

Specifies the type of majority as "simple", focusing on the basic requirement of having more than half the votes.

majority control

Highlights the power and influence derived from having a majority.

a dominant share

Focuses on the predominance of a holding or support base.

a controlling share

Shifts from voting to ownership, indicating a stake large enough to dictate decisions.

FAQs

How is "an overall majority" typically used in political contexts?

In political contexts, "an overall majority" signifies that a political party has secured more than 50% of the seats in a parliament or assembly, allowing them to govern without needing to form a coalition.

What's the difference between "a simple majority" and "an overall majority"?

"A simple majority" means more than half of the votes cast, while "an overall majority" specifically refers to having more than half of the total number of seats or positions available, such as in a parliament.

When might a party have a majority but not "an overall majority"?

A party might have the most seats (a plurality or a majority), but if it's less than half the total available seats, they do not have "an overall majority" and may need to form a coalition government.

What are some alternatives to saying "an overall majority"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a clear majority", "a decisive majority", or simply "majority control" to convey the same idea.