follow the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow the majority" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means to go along with the majority or the larger group. Example: "In order to make a decision, it is important to consider all opinions but ultimately, it is wise to follow the majority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They follow the majority".

The New York Times - Sports

Letting them follow the majority of their schoolmates virtually guarantees an easier life.

The New York Times

"The point is not to force the minority to follow the majority, but to try to have as much of a common approach as we can".

The Guardian

So, Piket, who is a connoisseur of this defense, chose to follow the majority opinion and sacrifice a pawn with 11 O-O.

The New York Times

But before the British economy can thrive, we must follow the majority of Europe and pass legislation to protect engineers' titles and allow the public to have a true appreciation and understanding of what it means to be an engineer.

The Guardian - Tech

If the courts exist only to follow the majority and uphold the work of the democratically elected executive and legislative branches, there is very little need for American-style judicial review.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

By 1999, when measurements of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 began, 668 original participants had died and a number subjects were no longer being followed, the majority because they moved out of the region following retirement.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Following the majority of German princelings after 1933, he joined the Reiter SS Corps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Following the majority of the directions, the consistency of the edge directions in the region is improved.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

This may show that Da'esh follows the majority and anti-Da'esh scholars follow the minority, possibly implying that Da'esh is more authoritative.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Following the majority of other investigators [22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34], we distinguished age groups of 0 1 years, 1 5 years, 5 10 years and 10 15 years.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "follow the majority" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific group or population to which you are referring. Providing specific context improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "follow the majority" as a universal rule. Critical thinking involves evaluating situations independently rather than blindly adopting popular opinions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow the majority" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating an action of conforming to the prevalent opinion or behavior. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

54%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "follow the majority" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of conforming to the prevailing opinion or behavior of a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral register. It's essential to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring clear context and avoiding overgeneralization. While useful for describing conformity, critical thinking should always complement, not be supplanted by, the tendency to "follow the majority".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

align with the consensus

Focuses on agreement and harmony with a general agreement.

conform to the mainstream

Implies adherence to widely accepted norms and behaviors.

go along with the crowd

Suggests a less critical, more passive acceptance of group behavior.

adopt the prevailing view

Highlights the acceptance of a dominant perspective or opinion.

join the bandwagon

Often implies opportunistic or trendy behavior.

embrace popular sentiment

Highlights the acceptance of a feeling shared by the population.

yield to popular opinion

Suggests a level of resistance before ultimately agreeing with what is generally accepted.

obey the group dynamic

Implies an almost subconscious agreement to group behaviors.

mirror the popular choice

Underlines that the action is influenced by other people's choices.

bow to peer pressure

Highlights the negative sense of yielding to external pressure.

FAQs

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

You can use "follow the majority" to describe situations where individuals or groups align their actions or opinions with the prevalent view, such as, "In this company, many employees tend to "follow the majority" when it comes to decision-making."

What are some alternatives to "follow the majority"?

Alternatives to "follow the majority" include phrases such as "align with the consensus", "conform to the mainstream", or "go along with the crowd", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it always advisable to "follow the majority"?

While "follow the majority" can be a practical approach in some situations, it is not always advisable. Critical thinking and independent evaluation are essential, especially when ethical or complex issues are involved.

What is the difference between "follow the majority" and "bow to peer pressure"?

"Follow the majority" generally implies aligning with a prevalent view or action, while "bow to peer pressure" specifically suggests yielding to external influence, often against one's better judgment or personal preferences.