comprise the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

"comprise the majority" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a useful phrase when referring to a large part of something. For example, "Students aged 18-25 comprise the majority of those enrolled in universities across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Retrotransposons comprise the majority of the TEs.

Nature

The Marines comprise the majority of active duty forces at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, NC.

Columbia University

Core courses are required for all students and comprise the majority of the Year 1 curriculum.

Stanford University

Tech startups like Uber and Airbnb comprise the majority of on-demand firms.

Harvard Business Review

Wrought metals comprise the majority of materials used in manufacturing plants.

Pocket Guide to Preventing Process Plant Materials Mix-ups

For the global human population, cereal crops comprise the majority of caloric input.

Encyclopedia of Applied Plant Sciences

Nationwide, women still make much less money than men and comprise the majority of those who live in poverty.

The New York Times

His full-throated tenor is powerful and often intense, even for the ballads that comprise the majority of these selections.

Stanford University

Rare diseases comprise the majority of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children but are notoriously difficult to diagnose.

Harvard University

Andrews sees the low undergraduate attendance as a "mild disappointment". Faculty and graduate students comprise the majority of the audience.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In the subunits that comprise the majority of the hemicapsids, all subunits have a common first resolved residue (residue 63).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comprise the majority" when you want to clearly state that a particular element constitutes the largest portion of a whole. For example, "Female students comprise the majority of the student body."

Common error

Avoid using "comprise of". The word "comprise" means 'to consist of', so adding 'of' is redundant. The correct usage is "comprise the majority" not "comprise of the majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comprise the majority" functions as a verbal phrase indicating composition or constitution. It describes the elements that constitute the largest portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comprise the majority" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a specific element constitutes the largest portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives such as "constitute the majority" or "make up the majority" exist, "comprise the majority" provides a clear and concise way to express the dominant component within a set. Remember to avoid the common error of saying "comprise of". In summary, this phrase is a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute the majority

This alternative uses "constitute" instead of "comprise", offering a slightly more formal tone.

make up the majority

This alternative is more informal and uses a phrasal verb to convey the same meaning.

form the largest part

This alternative emphasizes the size aspect of the majority.

represent the largest share

This alternative is suitable when discussing proportions or distributions.

account for most of

This alternative highlights the contribution of something to the overall total.

are the largest group

This alternative is useful when discussing groups or populations.

are primarily composed of

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes the composition.

consist mainly of

This alternative focuses on the main components of something.

dominate the composition

This alternative suggests a stronger influence or prevalence.

hold the greater part

This alternative is slightly more archaic but conveys the same idea of possessing the largest portion.

FAQs

How can I use "comprise the majority" in a sentence?

Use "comprise the majority" to indicate that a specific group or element makes up the largest part of a whole. For example, "Students comprise the majority of the library's users."

What is a more formal way to say "comprise the majority"?

A more formal alternative is to say "constitute the majority". For example, "Female employees "constitute the majority" of the workforce".

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

No, it is incorrect to say "comprise of the majority". The word "comprise" already means 'to consist of', so adding 'of' is redundant. The correct usage is "comprise the majority".

What's the difference between "comprise the majority" and "include the majority"?

"Comprise the majority" means to form the largest part of something, while "include the majority" means to be part of something where the majority is also present. The first one specify that the elements is forming the majority. The second only says it is part of a majority. For example, "This group "includes the majority" of voters" doesn't mean that this group is the majority, but rather that it's a part of it.