constitute the minority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute the minority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a group that makes up a smaller portion of a larger population or category. Example: "In this community, those who identify as non-native speakers constitute the minority."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

As part of a three-year plan, the company's six owners plan to cash out their stakes, then hand control of the festival to a new nonprofit called the Burning Man Project, where they will constitute the minority on a 17-member board.

The New York Times

Unlike other countries where indigenous people constitute the minority groups, in Indonesia majority of the population (about 95%) are natives (pribumi).

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

While compiling such records is hard enough for the actual producers of porn, they constitute the minority of much of what is distributed over the Internet.

Forbes

Studies of protein structure also revealed that the functional sites of a protein, which constitute the minority of its amino acids, evolved several times more slowly than the non-functional or structural sites.

SEP

Genes from the fourth subtype are closely connected and they constitute the minority (probability, π4= 3%).

BioData Mining

The updated Release 5 coordinates and gene annotations confirm that bona fide protein traps constitute the minority of the 1,522 reported lines.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Blends of the above two polyethylenes were produced, in which the linear material constituted the minority fraction (∼10%).

Polymer

Drotrecogin alfa (activated) (APC) has been shown to significantly decrease mortality in patients with severe sepsis, although surgical patients constituted the minority in the initial multicenter trial.

Critical Care

Across all body weights, the wing area makes up the majority of the total body surface area (58.9±1.78%) and the approximated surface area of the head constitutes the minority of the total body surface area (1.30±0.20%), and could be considered negligible.

Biology Open

If this is a solo jump, which constitutes the minority of skydivers, your only recourse is to ensure that at least one of your own chutes opens.

WikiHow

They worried that smaller figures would make it harder to show discrimination patterns and to draw legislative districts where minorities constitute the majority of voters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute the minority", ensure that the larger group to which the minority belongs is clearly defined in your writing. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "constitute the minority" when the group in question is actually the majority. Ensure accurate data and a clear understanding of proportions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute the minority" functions as a verb phrase that describes the composition of a smaller subgroup within a larger population or set. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constitute the minority" is grammatically sound and serves to identify a subgroup representing a smaller portion of a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to define the scope of the larger group for clarity. While alternatives like "represent the minority" or "form the minority" exist, "constitute the minority" is a precise and direct way to describe proportional representation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represent the minority

Replaces "constitute" with "represent", focusing on representation rather than composition.

form the minority

Uses "form" instead of "constitute", emphasizing the action of creating the minority group.

make up the minority

Employs "make up" instead of "constitute", highlighting the components of the minority.

comprise the minority

Substitutes "constitute" with "comprise", stressing the inclusion within the larger group.

account for the minority

Replaces "constitute" with "account for", emphasizing the numerical proportion of the minority.

compose the minority

Uses "compose" instead of "constitute", indicating the elements that build up the minority.

are the minority

Simplifies the phrase to a direct statement of being the minority.

consist of the minority

Focuses on the composition of the minority group.

represent a small portion

Shifts the focus to the size of the group, using "represent" instead of "constitute".

are a smaller percentage

Highlights the statistical aspect of being a minority.

FAQs

How can I use "constitute the minority" in a sentence?

You can use "constitute the minority" to describe a group that forms a smaller part of a larger whole. For example: "In this city, immigrants "constitute the minority" of the population".

What are some alternatives to "constitute the minority"?

Alternatives include "represent the minority", "form the minority", or "make up the minority", which all convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "constitute the minority group"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but it might be slightly redundant as "minority" already implies a group. However, adding "group" can provide emphasis or clarity in certain contexts.

What is the difference between "constitute the minority" and "constitute a minority"?

"Constitute the minority" implies a specific, defined minority group. "Constitute a minority" suggests that they are one among several possible minority groups.