constitute the majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute the majority of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to make up the largest part of something or to be the majority. It is typically used when discussing a group or category of people, objects, or ideas. Example: "Women constitute the majority of teachers in our school district."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Igbo constitute the majority of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Igbo (Ibo) constitute the majority of the state's population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Minangkabau and Batak peoples constitute the majority of Jambi's population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If present trends persist, Arabs could constitute the majority of Israel's citizens by 2040 or 2050.

The New York Times

While illegal sales constitute the majority of the cannabis economy, legal sales are growing strongly.

The Guardian - Music

These non-medically driven "enhancements" constitute the majority of procedures undertaken.

The Guardian

Russians constitute the majority of the population, but there are also Karelians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Finns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chuvash, ethnic minority in western Russia who constitute the majority of the population of Chuvashia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But many of the co-ops, which constitute the majority of affordable and attractive New York housing, are also segregated.

The Guardian

The most fundamental division of the elements is into metals, which constitute the majority of the elements, and nonmetals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Russians and other Slavs constitute the majority of the population, but there also are numerous non-Slavic peoples.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "constitute the majority of" when precision is needed, particularly in formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "constitute the majority of" with singular collective nouns. Collective nouns can be tricky; ensure the verb agreement matches whether you're referring to the group as a single unit or its individual members. Example: 'The team constitutes the majority of players' is incorrect; it should be 'The team members constitute the majority of players'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute the majority of" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that certain entities form the largest part or percentage of a larger group or whole. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and commonly used, providing numerous examples to support this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constitute the majority of" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing that a specific group or element forms the largest portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across varied contexts, from science and news to encyclopedias and business. While alternatives like "form the majority of" and "comprise the majority of" exist, "constitute the majority of" maintains a formal tone suitable for academic and professional writing. When using this phrase, clarity and context are crucial to avoid ambiguity. Remember to avoid using it with singular collective nouns. With its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources, mastering its usage is beneficial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

form the majority of

Replaces "constitute" with "form", a more common and slightly less formal verb.

comprise the majority of

Uses "comprise" instead of "constitute", offering a similar level of formality.

make up the majority of

Employs the phrasal verb "make up" for "constitute", resulting in a more casual tone.

represent the majority of

Substitutes "constitute" with "represent", emphasizing the proportion represented.

account for the majority of

Replaces "constitute" with "account for", highlighting the explanation of a portion.

are in the majority

Condenses the phrase, focusing on the state of being in the majority without specifying constitution.

are the largest part of

Breaks down "constitute the majority of" into a simpler, more direct statement.

mainly consist of

Uses "consist of" to replace "constitute", adding "mainly" to convey the majority aspect.

are primarily

This alternative is shorter, indicating that the group is the main component.

predominate in

Offers a single-word alternative, "predominate", for "constitute the majority", increasing formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "constitute the majority of" to indicate that a specific group or element forms the largest part of a whole. For example, "Women "constitute the majority of" students in the program."

What are some alternatives to "constitute the majority of"?

Alternatives include "form the majority of", "comprise the majority of", or "make up the majority of", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "constitute the majority of the majority"?

Yes, saying "constitute the majority of the majority" is generally redundant. It's more concise and clear to simply state the group that forms the larger part of the whole.

What's the difference between "constitute the majority of" and "represent the majority of"?

"Constitute the majority of" implies composition, while "represent the majority of" emphasizes that something acts on behalf of most. "Constitute" focuses on what something is made of; "represent" highlights acting for a group.