constitutes the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'constitutes the majority' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of things that comprise the majority of a whole, for example, "The number of female students at the school constitutes the majority of students."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The nation's middle class, long a pillar of the U.S. economy and foundation of the American dream, has shrunk to the point where it no longer constitutes the majority of the adult population, according to a new major study.

Los Angeles Times

Beta-thalassemia constitutes the majority of all thalassemias.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has been quite adaptable to human modified landscapes, which now constitutes the majority of Cuba.

Cornell University

Tocqueville inferred, wryly, "that the drinking population constitutes the majority in your country, and that temperance is somewhat unpopular".

The New Yorker

Special emphasis is given on the second category that constitutes the majority of the non-Newtonian fluids.

Solid-Liquid Two Phase Flow

Our study, due out next month, covers 273 subsidised and commercial auditoriums and shows that new work constitutes the majority of productions, performances, attendances and income.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, the affected area is inhabited by Pashtuns, a strongly tribal ethnic group that constitutes the majority of the population of Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The volcanic Manus Island constitutes the majority of its land area and is the site of Lorengau, the islands' principal settlement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But with more than 15,000 drivers operating in London, the capital constitutes the majority of its operations in the UK.

Independent

The results show that rough laminar carbon constitutes the majority of the matrix at a medium temperature (about 1100 °C), while smooth laminar and isotropic structures occur at temperatures lower than 1000 °C and higher than about 1200 °C, respectively.

Carbon

Falling a year before the Rumble, and a year after the Thrilla, it is as if they are merely the bread of a sandwich in which the Louisville Lip constitutes the majority of the filling.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitutes the majority", ensure that the context clearly defines the whole being divided. Be precise about what the majority is a part of.

Common error

Avoid using "constitutes the majority" when referring to something that is significant but does not actually represent more than 50% of the whole. A 'plurality' might be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitutes the majority" functions as a predicate in sentences. It asserts that a specific element or group forms the largest portion of a whole. Ludwig indicates this is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constitutes the majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a specific element or group forms the largest portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse fields, from scientific publications to news articles. When writing, it's important to use this phrase when referring to something that truly represents over 50% of the whole. Alternatives like "represents the majority" or "forms the majority" can also be used to express similar concepts, as explained in this guide. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represents the majority

Replaces 'constitutes' with 'represents', a synonym indicating composition.

forms the majority

Uses 'forms' instead of 'constitutes', emphasizing the act of creating the majority.

makes up the majority

Employs 'makes up' to highlight the components forming the larger part.

comprises the majority

Substitutes 'constitutes' with 'comprises', indicating inclusion within the whole.

is the largest part

Rephrases to directly state that something is the largest component.

accounts for the majority

Uses 'accounts for' to show that something is responsible for the largest portion.

is the predominant part

Replaces 'majority' with 'predominant part', stressing prevalence.

is the bulk of

Uses 'bulk of' to suggest the main mass or volume.

is mostly composed of

Focuses on the composition, indicating the main ingredient.

is primarily

Shortens the phrase to highlight that something is the main element.

FAQs

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

You can use "constitutes the majority" to indicate that a particular group or element forms the largest part of a whole. For example, "In this city, rental housing "constitutes the majority" of available housing options".

What are some alternatives to "constitutes the majority"?

Alternatives include "represents the majority", "forms the majority", or "makes up the majority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "constitutes a majority"?

While grammatically sound, "constitutes the majority" is more common and idiomatic when referring to a specific, defined whole. "Constitutes a majority" might be used in more abstract contexts.

What is the difference between "constitutes the majority" and "comprises the majority"?

"Constitute" focuses on forming or composing something, whereas "comprise" implies inclusion. While both can be used, ""constitutes the majority"" emphasizes the creation of the majority, and "comprises the majority" indicates that the majority is a part of a larger whole.