compose a majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compose a majority" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts discussing the formation of a majority opinion or decision, but it is not standard phrasing. Example: "The committee was tasked to compose a majority opinion on the proposed changes."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it has been unable to significantly reduce the population of families with children, who compose a majority of the shelter population.

The New York Times

You can't do that with a group of citizens that are going to compose a majority of this state by 2020, and which will be a plurality of this state in about a year and a half".

The New Yorker

Landmine and gunshot wounds compose a majority of the trauma-related injuries [12].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

HPV16 and HPV18 compose a majority of the high-risk virus in this study.

Cancer Causes and Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Several towns have apparently been won by parties representing refugees who once composed a majority of the residents but were driven out in ethnic cleansing.

The Economist

If Republicans hadn't stubbornly blocked then president Barack Obama's 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, justices appointed by Democrats would have composed a majority on the nation's highest court for the first time since 1970.

Vice

The McGovern rout left its young foot soldiers with two options: restore the Party's working-class identity or move on to a future where educated professionals might compose a Democratic majority.

The New Yorker

But obviously winning back a few percent of white men would be very helpful toward composing a new majority.

Huffington Post

Ward's hierarchical clustering applied to these immune modules separated C2 and C3 patients into two clusters: one exclusively composed of C3 patients with HIR (n = 26) and the other composed of a majority (84%) of C2 patients with low immune response (LIR).

Breast Cancer Research

The governorate council is composed of a majority of elected members.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is putting together a new smaller, plc-style board, composed of a majority of independent directors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the formation of a group that constitutes more than half of the total, consider using "form a majority" or "constitute a majority" as clearer and more common alternatives to "compose a majority".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "compose a majority" can sound stilted in some contexts. Opt for alternatives like "form a majority" or "make up a majority" to achieve a more natural and accessible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compose a majority" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that certain elements constitute more than half of a group. Ludwig shows examples where it describes populations or components forming a majority.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compose a majority" means to constitute more than half of a group. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically acceptable but less common than alternatives such as "form a majority" or "constitute a majority". While found in various sources like news articles and scientific papers, it's often better to use more common phrases for clarity. If you choose to use it, ensure it fits the tone of your writing and consider whether a more direct alternative would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

form a majority

This alternative uses the more common verb "form" instead of "compose", indicating the creation of a majority.

comprise a majority

This alternative utilizes "comprise", indicating that the listed items encompass the majority.

constitute a majority

This alternative uses "constitute", which is a more formal synonym of "compose", implying the elements that make up a majority.

establish a majority

This phrase focuses on the act of creating or solidifying a majority.

make up a majority

This alternative uses the phrasal verb "make up", offering a more informal way to express the components of a majority.

account for a majority

This emphasizes that certain members or factors are responsible for the largest portion.

represent a majority

This suggests certain elements act as proxy of the majority, or act on behalf of them.

hold a majority

This focuses on the possession or control of a majority, often in a decision-making context.

command a majority

Implies the ability to secure or maintain a majority, often through influence or support.

dominate the majority

Emphasizes that certain elements are the most important within the larger group.

FAQs

What does "compose a majority" mean?

The phrase "compose a majority" means to constitute or form more than half of a group or entity. However, it is less common than alternatives like "form a majority" or "constitute a majority".

How can I use "compose a majority" in a sentence?

You can use "compose a majority" to describe elements that together form more than half of a group. For example: "Families with children "compose a majority" of the shelter population".

Which is correct, "compose a majority" or "comprise a majority"?

Both "compose a majority" and "comprise a majority" are grammatically correct. However, "compose" means to constitute or form, while "comprise" means to consist of. "Compose a majority" is less frequent in modern usage.

What are some alternatives to "compose a majority"?

Some alternatives to "compose a majority" include "form a majority", "constitute a majority", or "make up a majority". The best choice depends on the specific context.