at a majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation or condition that applies to more than half of a particular group or set. Example: "At a majority of the meetings, the committee members agreed on the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Economists at a majority of primary dealers expect the Fed to announce it will cut its bond purchases, according to a recent Reuters poll.

The New York Times

He said policy had to aim at a majority of people, taking in what he called "treadmill families" who were working hard but standing still and whose social prospects were "frankly going nowhere".

The Guardian

While women are the chief executives at a majority of nonprofit organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less a year, men fill 76percentt of the top jobs at organizations with annual budgets of more than $5 million and 88percentt of those jobs at organizations with budgets of more than $50 million.

The New York Times

And after hosting posts that have included multiple shooting and bomb threats—some of which led to school evacuations Yik Yak is now using "geofencing" technology to prevent its app being used at a majority of America's middle and high schools.

The Economist

The rollout of scanning technology hasn't happened at a majority of stores across the globe.

TechCrunch

At a majority of the test points, the relative energy efficiencies of the blends are greater than unity.

Petroleum Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

A subsidiary of Amgen will buy at least a majority of Microment's outstanding shares at $11 apiece.

The New York Times

"When you look at all the names that had gone before me at Old Trafford, a majority of them never won the Championship.

BBC

After incubation at 20°C, a majority of cells (80%) showed strong accumulation of PTK7 at the TGN.

eLife

Such amendments must typically be approved by at least a majority of the shareholders.

The New York Times

Still, the Jets may not be better at even a majority of positions they changed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "at a majority of" to clearly indicate that something applies to more than half of a specific group or situation, leaving no ambiguity about its prevalence.

Common error

Avoid using "at a majority of" when the situation applies to almost all or nearly none of a group; use more precise quantifiers like "nearly all" or "very few" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a majority of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that something applies to more than half of the group or entity being discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

52%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a majority of" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to indicate that something applies to more than half of a given group or situation. As Ludwig AI shows, its prevalence spans diverse fields, from news and media to scientific research, making it a valuable tool for precise and clear communication. While alternatives like "in most cases" or "predominantly" exist, "at a majority of" offers a specific and unambiguous way to express prevalence. Remember to avoid overstating or understating the extent of the situation, and use more precise quantifiers when available. Keep in mind that the register is generally neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the majority of instances

This is a more formal and specific way of saying that something happens more often than not.

in most cases

This alternative focuses on the frequency of an event or condition.

for the most part

This phrase suggests that something is generally true, with some exceptions.

predominantly

This emphasizes the dominant nature of something within a set.

more often than not

This alternative highlights the higher probability of an event occurring.

typically

This implies that something is a usual or expected occurrence.

usually

Similar to "typically", this indicates a common or regular occurrence.

generally

This suggests that something is true in most situations, though not necessarily all.

primarily

This focuses on the main or most important aspect of something.

mainly

Similar to "primarily", this indicates the principal component or focus.

FAQs

How can I use "at a majority of" in a sentence?

Use "at a majority of" to indicate that something is true for more than half of a particular group or set. For instance, "At a majority of the meetings, the decision was unanimous."

What are some alternatives to using "at a majority of"?

Alternatives include "in most cases", "for the most part", or "predominantly", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "in a majority of" or "at a majority of"?

While both are grammatically correct, "at a majority of" is more common and often sounds more natural in contemporary English. "In a majority of" is also acceptable but may sound slightly more formal.

When should I avoid using the phrase "at a majority of"?

Avoid using "at a majority of" when a more precise quantifier is available and would provide a clearer picture. For example, use "nearly all" if the situation applies to almost everyone in the group.