he majored in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he majored in" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are discussing a degree or area of study that somebody has specialized in when completing their college education. For example: "My brother majored in English Literature when he was at college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He majored in physics.

The New York Times

He majored in economics.

The New York Times

He majored in classics.

The New Yorker

He majored in business.

The New York Times

He majored in chemistry & Eng.

The New Yorker

He majored in French lit. in college.

The New Yorker

But he majored in urban planning.

The New York Times - Magazine

He majored in applied mathematics at Harvard.

The New York Times

Niederhoffer chose Harvard, where he majored in economics.

The New Yorker

He majored in art history, with a minor in Russian.

The New Yorker

He majored in directing at Washington DC's Howard University.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's educational background, use "he majored in" to clearly and concisely state their primary field of study during their college or university years.

Common error

Ensure you use the past tense "majored" when referring to a completed course of study. Avoid using the present tense "majors" unless referring to someone currently studying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he majored in" functions as a declarative statement indicating a person's primary field of study at a college or university. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a common and grammatically correct way to convey someone's academic specialization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he majored in" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating a person's primary area of study at a higher education institution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources. Predominantly found in news and media, but also present in scientific and encyclopedia contexts, the phrase serves to provide information about someone's educational background. Alternative expressions include "he specialized in" or his "his major was". Remember to use the past tense "majored" when referring to completed studies and ensure the context aligns with the formal or informal nature of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he specialized in

Focuses on expertise gained in a particular field, similar to having majored in it.

his major was

Emphasizes the subject as his primary focus of study, similar to "he majored in".

he concentrated in

Implies a focused area of study, resembling the concept of majoring.

he took a degree in

Highlights the degree obtained in a specific subject.

his field of study was

Describes his chosen area of academic pursuit.

he pursued studies in

Indicates his active involvement in a subject area.

he read for a degree in

Indicates that the subject studied led to a degree.

he obtained a degree in

Focuses on the accomplishment of earning a degree in the subject.

he dedicated his studies to

Implies a strong commitment to studying a particular field.

he was a student of

Focuses on his identity as a student specializing in the subject.

FAQs

How do I use "he majored in" in a sentence?

Use "he majored in" to specify a person's primary area of study at college or university. For example, "He majored in biology" indicates that biology was his main subject.

What's a more formal way to say "he majored in"?

A more formal alternative is "he specialized in", indicating expertise and focused study in a particular field. An example is "he specialized in" astrophysics.

What can I say instead of "he majored in" to describe someone's studies?

Alternatives include "his major was", "he concentrated in", or "he took a degree in", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each has slightly different connotations regarding focus and attainment.

Is it correct to say "he majors in" if someone is currently studying?

Yes, "he majors in" is correct if someone is currently studying a specific subject. However, "he majored in" should be used when referring to studies that have already been completed.