formed the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formed the majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or entity that constitutes more than half of a total, often in contexts like voting, demographics, or opinions. Example: "In the recent election, the new party formed the majority, securing over 60% of the votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Christians, not Muslims, who formed the majority in the Caliphate.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Lords committees scrutinising last year's budget, peers who were paid by finance firms formed the majority.

The Guardian

They formed the majority of the assembly's members and were essential to the passage of any measures.

Britannica

On Choirgirl, Amos catapulted herself out of the piano-and-vocal mode that had formed the majority of her work to date.

The Guardian - Music

"The peasantry," Hobsbawm continued, "which had formed the majority of the human race throughout recorded history, had been made redundant by the agricultural revolution".

The Guardian

The three new members are all "public" representatives, as are Agustin Rivera and Bartholomew C. Carmody, who together formed the majority for the 3 and 5percentt.

The New York Times

They are assassinating Russian residents who once formed the majority of the city's population, 12 of whom were killed last month.

The New York Times

No large industries developed, but the city became an important watering and trading locus for the nomadic stock herders who formed the majority of the population.

Britannica

And the representatives of this majority, in ascertaining and executing its will, ascertain and execute the will of the vested interests, which have formed the majority.

The Economist

This group formed the majority of the population because during the first three centuries social and economic motives induced a considerable number of natives to convert to Islam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are stupid enough to be manipulated by the same government whose citizens formed the majority of the 9/11 hijackers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formed the majority", ensure the context clearly defines the group or population being discussed. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the total population when stating a group "formed the majority". Always provide enough context, such as 'Women formed the majority of the attendees at the conference', to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formed the majority" functions as a descriptive element, typically acting within a clause to specify the composition of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and grammatically correct construction used to denote that a particular group constitutes more than half of a whole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formed the majority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a group constitutes more than half of a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "constituted the majority" and "made up the majority" exist, "formed the majority" remains a clear and direct way to convey numerical dominance. When using this phrase, it's important to provide enough context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. Ludwig's analysis confirms that this expression is not only correct but also a valuable tool for effective communication across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constituted the majority

Uses a different verb, 'constituted', to express the same meaning of composing the greater part.

made up the majority

Employs the phrasal verb 'made up' instead of 'formed', conveying the same concept.

represented the majority

Indicates that the group or entity acted as the majority, rather than being the majority itself.

comprised the majority

A more formal alternative using 'comprised' to mean included or composed.

accounted for the majority

Highlights that the group or entity was responsible for the majority, implying influence or control.

held the majority

Implies possession or control of the majority, suggesting power or authority.

were in the majority

Focuses on the state of being the majority, rather than the act of forming it.

dominated the group

Indicates that the group or entity had significant power or influence over others.

outnumbered the rest

Emphasizes that the group was greater in number compared to all others combined.

possessed the greater portion

More formal way of saying something held a greater portion compared to the rest.

FAQs

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

You can use "formed the majority" to indicate that a particular group or entity constituted more than half of a larger group. For example, "In the election, independent voters "formed the majority", influencing the outcome significantly."

What are some alternatives to "formed the majority"?

Alternatives include "constituted the majority", "made up the majority", or "represented the majority", which all convey the idea of a group being more than half of the whole.

Is it grammatically correct to say "formed the majority"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "formed the majority" and "held the majority"?

"Formed the majority" indicates composition, meaning a group constituted more than half. "Held the majority" implies control or possession of that majority, suggesting power or authority.