be the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be the majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where a group or a set of individuals constitutes more than half of a total. Example: "In this election, we hope that our voices will be the majority and lead to meaningful change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

DMGT would always be the majority shareholder in that scenario.

The Guardian - Tech

This turns out to be the majority decision.

The New Yorker

That may not be the majority view within the administration.

The Guardian - Opinion

There will be a state where the Islamic population may be the majority.

University of California, Berkeley

"I hope Harry Reid will be the Majority Leader," Schumer told me.

The New Yorker

But his may no longer be the majority opinion among his fellow religious believers.

The New York Times - Arts

Opposition to women in the priesthood used to be the majority view.

The Guardian

("Yes" seemed to be the majority opinion, though certainly not the unanimous one).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They are the majority".

The New York Times - Books

We are the majority.

Independent

"Foreigners are the majority here.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be the majority", ensure the context clearly defines the population or group being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "be the majority of voters" or "be the majority of shareholders".

Common error

Avoid assuming that because a group "be the majority", their actions or opinions are inherently superior or correct. A majority viewpoint is not always synonymous with the best or most ethical course of action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be the majority" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying the subject with a group constituting more than half of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe numerical dominance or prevalence, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be the majority" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a specific group or element constitutes more than half of a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. While conveying numerical dominance, it's crucial to avoid equating majority status with inherent superiority or ethical correctness. Related phrases like "constitute the majority" or "form the majority" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. When using "be the majority", ensuring clarity in defining the referenced group is key to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute the majority

Replaces "be" with "constitute", emphasizing the act of forming the majority.

form the majority

Uses "form" instead of "be", highlighting the creation or establishment of the majority.

comprise the majority

Similar to "constitute", but emphasizes the parts that make up the whole.

be in the majority

Adds "in", focusing on the state of being within the majority group.

represent the majority

Focuses on acting or speaking on behalf of the majority.

make up the majority

Emphasizes the components that combine to create the majority.

hold the majority

Focuses on possessing or maintaining the majority position.

hold a majority

Similar to "hold the majority", emphasizing possession of a majority.

dominate numerically

Shifts focus to numerical dominance rather than the specific term "majority".

have the most

Simplifies the concept to simply having the largest number.

FAQs

How can I use "be the majority" in a sentence?

You can use "be the majority" to indicate that a particular group constitutes more than half of a population. For example, "In this company, women "be the majority" of the workforce."

What is a good alternative to "be the majority"?

Alternatives include "constitute the majority", "form the majority", or "represent the majority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to "be the majority"?

Not necessarily. While "be the majority" often implies influence or power, it doesn't guarantee positive outcomes or ethical behavior. It's important to consider the context and actions of the majority group.

Which is more formal, "be the majority" or "hold the majority"?

"Hold the majority" might sound slightly more formal, especially in political or business contexts, but both "be the majority" and "hold the majority" are generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings.