constitute a majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a majority" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when discussing a group of people or items that make up more than half of the total number. For example, "Women constitute a majority of the population in this town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In New York City, after all, minorities constitute a majority of the population.

The New York Times

The Sunnis are thought to constitute a majority in three provinces.

The New York Times

Rental apartment buildings, which constitute a majority of housing here, are mostly immune.

The New York Times

Also, atrazine and paraquat are among the chemicals sprayed in Kauai but don't constitute a majority.

The Guardian

The fast-growing toi and the tavahi constitute a majority of the tree cover on ʿEua.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While there has been no recent census in Iraq, the Shiites are thought to constitute a majority in the country.

The New York Times

Those estimates also concur with projections that members of minorities will constitute a majority of the nation's population by 2050.

The New York Times

And in about three decades, no single group will constitute a majority of the country as a whole.

The New York Times

Article I, Section 5 states in part that "a majority of each shall constitute a majority to do business".

The New York Times

Barges, which constitute a majority of the Rhine's traffic, can sit high or low in the water, depending on the weight of their cargo.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. requires that independent directors constitute a majority of the members of a mutual fund's board, and they are charged with safeguarding shareholders' interests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute a majority", ensure clarity by specifying the group or population being referred to. For example, "Women constitute a majority of the students in the program" is more precise than "They constitute a majority."

Common error

Avoid using "constitute a majority" without clearly defining the total group. For instance, saying "This constitutes a majority" is vague. Instead, specify: "This constitutes a majority of the votes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a majority" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a specific group or element forms more than half of a total. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constitute a majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that a particular group forms more than half of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for application across diverse contexts, from news reporting and encyclopedic entries to formal business communications. While generally neutral in tone, clarity in specifying the base group is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives such as "make up a majority" or "form a majority" offer similar meanings, with subtle nuances depending on the desired emphasis. By understanding its proper usage and context, writers can confidently employ this phrase to accurately convey proportional relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up a majority

Focuses on the act of combining to form a majority.

form a majority

Highlights the creation or establishment of a majority.

comprise a majority

Similar to "constitute", but can sometimes imply a more complete composition.

represent a majority

Emphasizes the idea of standing for or embodying the larger part.

account for a majority

Highlights the proportion or share that the majority represents.

consist of a majority

Focuses on the composition of the group, highlighting that it's mainly formed by a majority.

hold a majority

Suggests possession or control of the majority.

outnumber the rest

Directly states that they are more in number than all others combined.

dominate the majority

Implies a position of power or control within the majority.

predominate in number

Emphasizes the numerical superiority within a group.

FAQs

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

You can use "constitute a majority" to indicate that a particular group or element forms more than half of a larger whole. For example, "Female students "constitute a majority" in the nursing program."

What are some alternatives to "constitute a majority"?

Alternatives include phrases like "make up a majority", "form a majority", or "represent a majority", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "constitutes a majority" instead of "constitute a majority"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "constitute a majority" when referring to a plural subject, and "constitutes a majority" when referring to a singular subject. For example, "Members constitute a majority" (plural) versus "This group constitutes a majority" (singular).

What is the difference between "comprise a majority" and "constitute a majority"?

"Constitute a majority" means to form or make up a majority, while "comprise a majority" means to be made up of a majority. Although often used interchangeably, "constitute" emphasizes the act of forming, while "comprise" emphasizes the elements that make up the whole.