an overriding majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overriding majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a significant majority has a dominant influence or control over a decision or outcome. Example: "The proposal was accepted by an overriding majority, ensuring that the new policy would be implemented without further debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I suspect an overriding majority of the newsroom voted for Kerry — though up on the executive floor, a majority voted for Bush.

The New Yorker

This feeling corroborates findings from the ASCB survey, where an overriding majority of respondents called for institutions to offer a mixed curricula to prepare Ph.D.s for a variety of research and nonresearch careers.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If 47 million Americans are uninsured, this means that over 250 million are insured, and therefore the plight of the uninsured, while a matter of vital social concern, is not an overriding daily issue for the vast majority of Americans.

Huffington Post

An overall lack of confidence is an overriding factor in all this.

Forbes

Accuracy is an overriding goal there.

The New York Times - Science

There was an overriding sense of horror.

The Guardian - Opinion

Modesty seems to be an overriding characteristic.

The Guardian - Books

As a result, efficiency has become an overriding concern.

The New York Times

Individual moments of drama are subsumed by an overriding slickness.

The New York Times - Arts

The single currency served an overriding political objective.

The New York Times

They share an overriding sense of life-or-death desperation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overriding majority", ensure the context clearly indicates what that majority is overriding or taking precedence over.

Common error

Avoid using "an overriding majority" when a simple "large majority" suffices. The term "overriding" implies that the majority is not only large but also decisive in negating or surpassing other concerns or factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overriding majority" functions as a determiner and noun phrase. It typically modifies a noun (e.g., decision, vote) to indicate that the majority in question is not only large but also has a decisive, prevailing influence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overriding majority" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes the decisive and dominant influence of a majority. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "a large majority", it's appropriate when you want to highlight that the majority's view prevails over other considerations. It frequently appears in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its strong connotation and ensure that the context truly reflects the overriding nature of the majority in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decisive majority

Emphasizes the conclusiveness of the majority.

a dominant majority

Highlights the controlling influence of the majority.

a sweeping majority

Suggests a broad and comprehensive majority.

a substantial majority

Indicates a significant and considerable majority.

a commanding majority

Conveys the authoritativeness of the majority.

a clear majority

Highlights the unambiguous nature of the majority.

a significant majority

Emphasizes the importance of the majority.

a vast majority

Highlights the extent and scale of the majority.

a comfortable majority

Suggests the ease with which the majority was obtained.

a landslide victory

Implies a decisive win due to an overwhelming majority.

FAQs

How can I use "an overriding majority" in a sentence?

Use "an overriding majority" when you want to emphasize that a particular group or opinion holds a dominant and decisive position. For example: "The proposal was approved by "an overriding majority", ensuring its swift implementation".

What's the difference between "an overriding majority" and "an overwhelming majority"?

"An overriding majority" suggests a dominance that surpasses other considerations, while "an overwhelming majority" simply indicates a very large number or proportion. The former implies a stronger influence.

What can I say instead of "an overriding majority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a decisive majority", "a dominant majority", or "a sweeping majority".

Is it redundant to say "an overriding majority"?

While "overriding" already implies a significant influence, using it with "majority" can strengthen the emphasis on the dominance of that majority. However, ensure that the context justifies the use of such a strong term.