by a comfortable majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a comfortable majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as elections or decision-making processes to indicate that a particular choice or candidate received significantly more support than others. Example: "The proposal was approved by a comfortable majority, ensuring its implementation without further debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It survived the only previous censure vote over the reform of the common agriculture policy (CAP)—by a comfortable majority.

The Economist

Democrats control the House of Representatives by a comfortable majority, but their control of the Senate is a far more slender 19 to 17.

The New York Times

Law then formed a Conservative government ("of the second eleven," as Winston Churchill described it), which in November 1922 was approved by a comfortable majority of voters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An older generation of Americans recalls the heartbreak of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's funeral in 1945, just five months after he was elected to his fourth term -- by a comfortable majority, to be sure, but also his narrowest.

The New York Times

Jean-Claude Juncker, the controversial choice to head the EU executive for the next five years, has been confirmed as next president of the European commission by a comfortable majority of MEPs in the new European parliament.

The Guardian

He was elected with a resounding personal vote of confidence, he is backed by a comfortable majority in parliament, no section of which is in a position to block the way to peace, and his choice of ministers signals that he will be running things in the way he wants.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Labour has held onto its seat in the Wythenshawe and Sale East by-election with a comfortable majority while UKIP beat the Tories into second place.

BBC

At the election the Labor Party increased its margin by 5 seats, leaving a comfortable majority in the new parliament, although its success was attributed to the unpopularity at the time of Sir Robert Menzies' federal Liberal government following the 1961 credit squeeze.

Wikipedia

Despite Labour's change of heart, the government won the vote by 297 votes to 234, a comfortable majority of 63.

The Guardian

The Conseil de Paris, led by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has a comfortable majority, will vote on a proposal for a permanent closure on 26 September – but such a move also needs the approval of the prefect, who has so far only agreed to a trial period.

The Guardian

Politically, the by-election victory counts for little as PAS already has a comfortable majority in conservative Kelantan, one of four states ruled by the opposition.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing election results or voting outcomes, use "by a comfortable majority" to indicate a clear and convincing victory, but avoid overusing it in close succession to maintain writing variety.

Common error

Avoid using "by a comfortable majority" when the margin is actually quite narrow or contested, as this can mislead the reader about the decisiveness of the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a comfortable majority" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which something was achieved. It indicates the extent or degree of the majority, suggesting a clear and convincing level of support. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a comfortable majority" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a clear and decisive victory or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, including news reports, encyclopedias, and formal writing. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects a significant margin, avoiding its use when the majority is narrow or contested. Alternatives like "by a decisive margin" or "with a clear majority" can offer nuanced variations, but the original phrase remains a strong and effective choice for conveying a convincing win.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a clear majority

Highlights the unambiguous nature of the majority.

by a healthy majority

Uses "healthy" as a metaphor for "strong and stable".

by a decisive margin

Emphasizes the conclusiveness and clarity of the victory or agreement.

by a wide margin

Focuses on the size and extent of the difference.

with a significant advantage

Focuses on the degree of advantage rather than the numerical aspect.

with overwhelming approval

Highlights strong agreement and positive sentiment.

by a substantial plurality

Implies a large but not necessarily absolute majority.

by a landslide victory

Suggests an overwhelming and undeniable win.

with considerable support

Focuses on the backing received, rather than the numerical outcome.

with ease

Emphasizes the lack of difficulty in achieving the majority.

FAQs

How can I use "by a comfortable majority" in a sentence?

You can use "by a comfortable majority" to describe election outcomes, legislative votes, or any situation where a decision is made with a clear and convincing level of support. For example: "The bill passed "by a comfortable majority" in the Senate".

What are some alternatives to saying "by a comfortable majority"?

Alternatives include "by a decisive margin", "with a clear majority", or "by a significant advantage". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "by a comfortable majority" in formal writing?

Yes, "by a comfortable majority" is appropriate for formal writing, including news articles, academic papers, and business reports. It is a clear and professional way to describe a decisive outcome.

What's the difference between "by a comfortable majority" and "by a simple majority"?

"By a simple majority" means that more than 50% of the votes were in favor. "By a comfortable majority" implies a more substantial level of support, suggesting that the margin of victory was significant, although it does not specify a precise percentage.