by a substantial majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'by a substantial majority' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a group of people being in favor of something by a wide margin. For example, "The referendum passed by a substantial majority of 78%."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

True, not every Republican policy is opposed by a substantial majority of Americans.

The New Yorker

Hart said the winner, decided by an 11-person jury, had been chosen by a "substantial" majority.

The Guardian - Books

Yet the Turkish-Cypriots still voted for it by a substantial majority for the sake of peace in the island.

The Economist

Mr. Barak's government was thrown into tumult last week when Parliament, by a substantial majority, approved a preliminary bill to disperse and head toward new elections.

The New York Times

We are saddled with a president whose job approval ratings are justifiably abysmal and whose honesty is now questioned by a substantial majority of the American people.

The New York Times

"These innovative proposals correspond to present-day requirements," Mrs. Estrela said at a news conference after the vote, which she said was carried by a "substantial majority".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But because these efforts encountered furious opposition from the Catholic Church progress was slow, even though by this time a substantial majority of Americans believed that women should be able to decide for themselves whether to end an unwanted pregnancy.

Huffington Post

The hearings, to replace Justice David H. Souter, who is retiring at the end of the court's term, will be run by Democrats, who have a substantial majority in the Senate.

The New York Times

Some regulatory promoter elements may escape detection by this approach, but a substantial majority will probably be recognized with confidence [ 28].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Every British government in between took office despite having been rejected by a majority of the electorate, sometimes a substantial majority.

The New Yorker

Even by Frank Bruni's own statistics for major cities, we might increase bike riding to only 2 percent or somewhat higher, inconveniencing a substantial majority of car drivers by carving out bike lanes and eliminating parking spaces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "by a substantial majority", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the majority is in favor of. For example, "The bill passed by a substantial majority of the Senate."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "by a substantial majority" always implies near-unanimity. It indicates a significant portion, but not necessarily an overwhelming one. Always be clear about percentages when available to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a substantial majority" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner in which an action (often voting or approval) occurs, specifically highlighting that it was supported by a significant portion of the group involved, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a substantial majority" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something has been approved or supported by a significant portion of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news articles, academic papers, and other writing contexts. While it's important to use it accurately and avoid assuming it always implies near-unanimity, this phrase effectively conveys the strength of agreement or the decisiveness of an outcome. Consider using synonyms such as "by a significant margin" or "overwhelmingly" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a significant margin

Emphasizes the size of the difference or lead.

by a considerable amount

Highlights the extent or degree of the majority.

overwhelmingly

Focuses on the completeness and decisiveness of the majority.

by a wide margin

Similar to "by a significant margin" but slightly less formal.

by a decisive vote

Highlights the impact and definiteness of the vote outcome.

by a comfortable majority

Suggests an easily won or secure majority.

by a hefty percentage

Refers to the numerical value of the majority.

in the vast majority

Indicates the large size of the majority from a different perspective.

largely

A single adverb expressing that something is mainly true

predominantly

A single adverb which focuses on what is most common or noticeable

FAQs

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

Use "by a substantial majority" to indicate that a significant portion of a group agrees with something. For example, "The proposal was approved "by a substantial majority" of the members".

What can I say instead of "by a substantial majority"?

You can use alternatives like "by a significant margin", "overwhelmingly", or "by a wide margin", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "won by substantial majority"?

While understandable, it's more grammatically precise to say "won by a substantial majority". The inclusion of the article 'a' makes the sentence flow better and aligns with standard English usage.

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

"By a substantial majority" implies a significant proportion, well over 50%, while "by a simple majority" just means more than half. A substantial majority suggests stronger agreement or a more decisive victory.