comprise a majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comprise a majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the composition of a group or the elements that make up a larger whole, specifically indicating that a certain part makes up more than half of that whole. Example: "Women comprise a majority of the workforce in this industry, highlighting the shift towards gender equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also notable has been a fundamental shift in the small mammal composition following the last major El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event in 2000 2002; degus now comprise a majority of small mammal biomass in the assemblage, and their numbers have become more stable and less temporally variable.

Journal of Arid Environments

But if he wins the election, his legions will likely comprise a majority of the nation.

The Washington Post

As a result, these proteins comprise a majority of known drug targets.

Structure

But NYPD hate crime data shows that men comprise a majority of hate crime victims.

Independent

Although Mexicans have largely disappeared, they have been replaced by Central Americans who now comprise a majority of those apprehended.

Princeton University

Meanwhile, Russia's educated middle classes are growing and should comprise a majority in just 10 years' time.

The New York Times

By 2030 "post-Panamax" ships are expected to comprise a majority of the world's container ship capacity.

The Economist

Mr Ecclestone and Stephen Mullens, a British lawyer who is Bambino's appointee, comprise a majority on FOA's board.

The Economist

But Carlyle has yet to say if the independent directors will comprise a majority of the board.

The New York Times

In only one state (Massachusetts) did juveniles imprisoned for crimes committed against people comprise a majority of juvenile prisoners.

The Economist

This growth led streaming to comprise a majority of all digital revenues (which themselves make up half of all music revenues, across all formats).

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comprise a majority", ensure clarity by specifying what group or element constitutes the majority and within what context. This adds precision to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "comprise of a majority". The word "comprise" means 'to consist of' or 'to be made up of', so "comprise" already includes the meaning of "of". Use "comprise a majority" or "be composed of a majority" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comprise a majority" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a specific group or element constitutes more than half of the total. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comprise a majority" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a group or element makes up more than half of a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a range of contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure you specify what constitutes the majority for clarity. Common alternatives include "make up a majority" and "constitute a majority", with the latter being more formal. Avoid the incorrect form "comprise of a majority". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "comprise a majority" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up a majority

This alternative uses a more common phrasal verb, making it slightly less formal.

constitute a majority

This phrase is nearly synonymous, offering a similar level of formality and precision.

form a majority

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating a majority, rather than the composition.

consist of a majority

This version underscores the composition of the whole from a dominant part.

represent a majority

This phrase highlights the idea of acting as a symbol or example for the majority.

account for a majority

This alternative focuses on the portion or share that the majority represents.

be the majority

This simplification offers a direct and less formal way to express the concept.

hold the majority

This implies possession or control by the majority.

dominate in number

This alternative shifts the focus to numerical dominance rather than composition.

outnumber the rest

This phrase vividly illustrates surpassing all others in count.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "comprises a majority"?

When a group or category "comprises a majority", it means that it makes up more than 50% of the total number or amount. For example, if women comprise a majority of the workforce, it means that more than half of the workers are women.

What can I say instead of "comprise a majority"?

You can use alternatives like "make up a majority", "constitute a majority", or "form a majority" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "comprise of a majority"?

No, it is not correct to say "comprise of a majority". The word "comprise" means 'to consist of' or 'to be made up of', so the word "of" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "comprise a majority".

Which is more formal, "comprise a majority" or "make up a majority"?

"Comprise a majority" is generally considered more formal than "make up a majority". The latter is a more common and informal phrasal verb.