bulk of the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bulk of the" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the majority or largest part of something. Example: "The bulk of the evidence suggests that climate change is accelerating at an alarming rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bulk of the protesters departed.

The New York Times

The bulk of the donations never materialized.

The New Yorker

That's the bulk of the show.

The Guardian

The bulk of the manatee dwarfed Miguel.

The Guardian - Travel

Others embrace the bulk of the work.

The New York Times

"They're largely invisible to the bulk of the population.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Internet Explorer has the bulk of the browser market.

The New York Times - Tech

The low-skilled comprise the bulk of the unemployed.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Vodafone accounted for the bulk of the gain.

The Guardian - Business

The bulk of the money was from the children's fund.

The New York Times

The bulk of the £14bn has been invested in renewables.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bulk of the", ensure the noun following 'the' is specific and clearly defined within the context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The bulk of the evidence" is stronger than "The bulk of it".

Common error

Avoid using "bulk of the" when referring to a small or insignificant portion. It implies a majority or substantial amount, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning. For example, don't say "The bulk of my tasks were completed" if only one or two tasks were actually finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bulk of the" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, specifying that what follows represents the major portion or quantity of something. It's often used to emphasize the size or significance of the part being referred to. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bulk of the" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the majority or largest portion of something, as validated by Ludwig. It's versatile enough for use in both neutral and formal contexts, although it is most frequently found in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the noun following 'the' is specific to avoid ambiguity. While there are many similar phrases, such as "majority of the" and "most of the", each carries slight nuances in meaning, making "bulk of the" a useful and precise term when the size or significance of a part needs to be emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

majority of the

Focuses on the count or number being the largest.

most of the

A more general term, implying the greatest portion.

greater part of the

Emphasizes a significant, but not necessarily absolute, portion.

largest portion of the

Highlights the size or amount as being the greatest.

major part of the

Indicates a primary or principal component.

preponderance of the

Suggests a significant weight or influence.

lion's share of the

An idiom suggesting the largest and best portion.

substantial part of the

Indicates a considerable or significant amount.

significant portion of the

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the portion.

main body of the

Refers to the principal or central part.

FAQs

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

Use "bulk of the" to refer to the majority or largest part of something, such as "The "bulk of the data" supports the hypothesis".

What can I say instead of "bulk of the"?

You can use alternatives like "majority of the", "most of the", or "greater part of the" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the bulk of them"?

While grammatically correct, it's often clearer to specify what "them" refers to. For instance, "The "bulk of the students"" is more precise than "the bulk of them".

What's the difference between "bulk of the" and "some of the"?

"Bulk of the" indicates a majority, whereas "some of the" refers to a smaller, unspecified portion. Using "bulk of the work" suggests most of the work, while "some of the work" means only a part of it.