by a great majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a great majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a decision or vote is supported by a large number of people compared to those who oppose it. Example: "The proposal was accepted by a great majority, indicating strong support from the committee members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Franklin Roosevelt was subjected to an unparalleled ten-year campaign of abuse and vilification by a great majority of the nation's newspapers and magazines.

The New Yorker

Nicotine, a drug commonly self-administered by a great majority of individuals with schizophrenia, has been shown to significantly improve cognitive function in some studies.

Duke University

In the SPPA programme, use of safe water was promoted and it was found that it was used by a great majority of households irrespective of SPPA membership.

Unicef

It is interesting to note that configurations and cellular patterns may be drastically affected by some relatively small changes in the logical rules of certain genes but are not affected by a great majority of alterations.

BMC Systems Biology

Addressing challenges and barriers to recruitment encountered in this trial appeared to be fruitful and led to the conclusion that barriers, not related to patients, were at play in contrast to what is often reported by a great majority of the research literature.

BMC Psychiatry

(FR) What we should retain from this sitting is that we have debated at length a report on European security, whose content is for the most part completely out of date, and that we have refrained, by a great majority, from debating the war in Iraq at a time when its outcome is at stake and its consequences concern our security first and foremost.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Health care, the largest component of government spending, continues to be dominated by the state but a great majority of Canadians (80%) want major reforms.

The Economist

The results can be explained by the fact that a great majority of hot water usages occur during peak periods when variations of actual cold water temperature are rather small (within ± 1°C, in shaded areas of Figure 14).

Visualization in Engineering

We also counted the type of radical surgery received by the patients (Table  1), and a great majority of patients received R0 resection.

BMC Cancer

Of the initial 450 candidate shapes, a great majority was identified by all ten of the subjects.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

If convicted, Menendez could face pressure to resign before Christie leaves office in January, which would let Christie appoint the senator's replacement and potentially shift the balance of power in the Senate by giving Republicans a greater majority.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by a great majority", ensure the context clearly indicates what group or population is being referred to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "by a great majority" when the actual percentage is only slightly over 50%. This phrase implies a much larger difference than a slim margin.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a great majority" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent to which something is supported or agreed upon. Ludwig AI analysis of examples shows its use in describing the degree of consensus or prevalence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a great majority" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression. Ludwig AI confirms its function as an adverbial phrase used to indicate widespread support or agreement, finding occurrences in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While considered an uncommon phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of significant consensus. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the group being referenced and avoid exaggeration when the majority is not substantially large. Alternatives such as "by a significant majority" or "by a vast majority" can be employed depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a large majority

Replaces "great" with "large", indicating a considerable but not necessarily overwhelming number.

by a significant majority

Substitutes "great" with "significant", emphasizing the importance or impact of the majority.

by a substantial majority

Uses "substantial" instead of "great", highlighting the size and solidity of the majority.

by an overwhelming majority

Emphasizes the dominance and decisiveness of the majority.

by a considerable majority

Replaces "great" with "considerable", pointing out that the majority is worth taking into account.

by a vast majority

Emphasizes the sheer size and extent of the majority.

for the most part

Indicates that something is generally true but may not be true in every instance.

in most cases

Suggests that something is true in the majority of situations, but there might be exceptions.

predominantly

Highlights that something is the main or most common feature.

largely

Indicates that something is mainly or to a great extent true.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by a great majority" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "by a significant majority" or "by a substantial majority" which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

Is it always necessary to specify the group when using "by a great majority"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the group to which the majority belongs enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation. For instance, instead of saying "it was approved by a great majority", specify "it was approved by a great majority of the committee members".

What's the difference between "by a great majority" and "by a vast majority"?

While both indicate a large proportion, "by a vast majority" suggests an even larger, almost overwhelming, proportion compared to "by a great majority". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "by a great majority"?

It's inappropriate to use "by a great majority" when the actual numbers don't support a significantly large difference. Overstating the size of the majority can mislead your audience.