bulk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bulk of" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It means a large majority or great majority of something. For example, "The bulk of the population supported the decision to extend the lockdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bulk of your work is done.

WikiHow

The bulk of it went to Russia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Geiger handles the bulk of myriad requests.

The New York Times - Sports

She did the bulk of it.

The New York Times

The bulk of it is done.

The New York Times

Q.Are offices the bulk of your portfolio?

The New York Times

Texas has seen the bulk of them.

The New York Times

The bulk of the protesters departed.

The New York Times

The bulk of Germany still thinks Nazi.

The New Yorker

The bulk of them are at Nassau Community College.

The New York Times

The bulk of the donations never materialized.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bulk of" when you want to emphasize that something constitutes a large and important portion of a whole, often implying a significant impact or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "bulk of" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "majority", "preponderance", or "significant proportion" for a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bulk of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun represents the largest part or majority of something. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in specifying a significant portion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

8%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bulk of" is a versatile phrase used to denote the largest portion or majority of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "majority of" or "preponderance of" in academic or highly professional writing. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, reflecting its widespread applicability in describing proportions and quantities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

majority of

This alternative emphasizes the greater part of a whole.

most of

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way to express the same idea.

greater part of

This alternative highlights the larger segment of something.

largest portion of

This alternative emphasizes size and quantity.

largest share of

This alternative emphasizes the relative proportion.

lion's share of

This alternative suggests the biggest portion, often implying an unfair advantage.

major segment of

This alternative stresses the importance of the component.

preponderance of

This alternative indicates a dominance or greater influence.

significant amount of

This alternative highlights the substantial quantity or degree.

principal part of

This alternative focuses on the main or most important component.

FAQs

What does "bulk of" mean?

The phrase "bulk of" refers to the major part or largest portion of something. It indicates that a significant amount or majority is being considered.

How can I use "bulk of" in a sentence?

You can use "bulk of" to describe the main part of something. For example: "The "bulk of" the work is already done" or "The "bulk of" the donations never materialized".

What are some alternatives to "bulk of"?

Alternatives to "bulk of" include "majority of", "greater part of", or "lion's share of", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "bulk of" appropriate for formal writing?

While "bulk of" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "majority of" or "preponderance of" might be more suitable in highly formal or academic contexts.