major

USAGE SUMMARY

"major" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective or a noun. Example sentence: The major part of the project was completed on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps even more worrying to Mr. Assad, his military has come to rely more heavily on equipment designed for a major battle with a foreign enemy, namely Israel, rather than a protracted civil conflict with his own people.

The New York Times

And, given that very unique responsibility that he has, it's simply impossible for him to continue in that role when such very major question marks are being raised about his financial affairs".

The Guardian

In the case of ordinary consumers, "switching costs" have a major effect.

The Economist

But Smith's failure to make a major impact in Europe - the finest moment probably being the home-and-away defeat of Leeds United in 1992, later missing out on a Champions League final place by one point - led to the clamour for something new.

The Guardian - Sport

Amid criticisms that £10m to £20m was relatively small figure on which to make such a major policy announcement – the NHS budget is more than £100bn a year – the health secretary disputed the No 10 claim.

The Guardian

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents – young and old, rich and poor – have peacefully occupied major thoroughfares across the city, shuttering businesses and bringing traffic to a halt.

The Guardian

One way or another the major UK parties have been pretty rough in their election campaign efforts to neutralise or exploit the likely consequences on Westminster of an SNP-dominated contingent from Scotland.

The Guardian

Both MSCI and FTSE, major providers of financial indexes, have also created fossil-free or low-carbon indexes in response to demand from investors.

The Guardian

Unlike some of its rivals it avoided major costs for litigation and legal expenses.

The Guardian - Business

I started the campaign in 2009 after speaking at a meeting in Doncaster where major cuts were mooted.

The Guardian - Books

This year, the nuclear negotiations in the Swiss city of Lausanne, which are entering a critical phase ahead of a major deadline, are being debated over dried fruits, pistachio nuts and watermelon seeds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major" as an adjective, ensure it clearly modifies the noun it precedes, specifying the area of significance or magnitude you intend to convey. For example, use "major impact" instead of just "impact" to emphasize the extent of the effect.

Common error

Avoid using "major" simply as a filler word to describe something as important without providing specific context. Instead, quantify the importance or impact to provide more clarity and impact to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "major" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something of great significance, size, or extent. It can also function as a noun, referring to a military rank or a student's primary field of study. Ludwig AI confirms that "major" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adjective to denote significance or scale, and as a noun referring to a field of study or military rank. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media. When using "major", ensure it modifies the noun appropriately to convey the intended significance. Be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "significant" or "critical" to avoid redundancy and enhance clarity. As the examples from Ludwig demonstrate, "major" is frequently employed in authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

important

Stresses the value or consequence of something.

significant

Emphasizes the importance or impact of something.

key

Suggests something is essential or central to a particular situation.

primary

Indicates the main or principal aspect of something.

principal

Indicates the main or most important aspect.

substantial

Indicates a considerable amount or size.

considerable

Indicates a notable or significant amount.

chief

Highlights the most important or prominent element.

critical

Highlights the crucial or essential nature of something.

paramount

Emphasizes the supreme or overriding importance.

FAQs

How can I use "major" in a sentence?

You can use "major" to describe something of great significance, like in "This is a major accomplishment" or to indicate the main area of study, as in "She is a math major".

What are some alternatives to the word "major"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "significant", "important", or "critical".

Which is correct, "major issue" or "main issue"?

Both "major issue" and "main issue" are correct, but "major issue" emphasizes the significance of the issue, while "main issue" indicates it's the primary one being discussed. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

How does "major" differ from "significant"?

"Major" often implies scale or size, while "significant" emphasizes importance or consequence. A "major overhaul" suggests a large-scale change, whereas a "significant improvement" highlights the importance of the improvement.