majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'majority' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe when a number greater than half of a group or population holds a certain belief, opinion, or position. For example: The majority of students in the college voted to keep the summer break shorter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am not disappointed that the majority has been reduced.

The Guardian

And on Tuesday night, we found out that the majority of Americans agree with my approach".

The New York Times

The study suggests that in 168 marginal seats, the ethnic minority vote is bigger than the majority of the sitting MP.

The Guardian

A successful referendum requires a double majority – a national yes vote, and affirmation in the majority of the states.

The Guardian

The vast majority of these decisions face no public scrutiny, though they shape public discourse.

The Guardian - Tech

The equal marriage bill was given an overwhelming second reading by 400 votes to 175, a majority of 225.

The Guardian

"We will propose a 'double majority' rule – meaning that unless England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each vote to leave the EU, as well as the UK as a whole, Britain would remain a member state".

The Guardian

The majority are women.

The Guardian

Gina McCarthy, who heads the EPA, said in a press call last week that her agency had found that 80% of small business owners supported the rule, as did a majority of those individuals and organizations who submitted public comments in the run-up to the rule's introduction.

The Guardian

SPT has majority stakes in UK independent producers including Silver River, Gogglebox Entertainment and Victory Television and makes shows including Who Wants to be a Millionaire, the Beyoncé and Will Young specials for ITV and Breakaway for BBC2.

The Guardian

As a result, Letta's left-right coalition now has a stable majority that includes about 60 of Berlusconi's former supporters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "majority" to indicate more than half of a group when precision is needed; otherwise, consider using "most" or "many" for a less formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "majority" when you mean "plurality". "Majority" means more than 50%, while "plurality" means the largest share, even if it's less than 50%.

Linguistic Context

The word "majority" primarily functions as a noun. It denotes a quantity greater than half of a total group or can refer to the age of legal adulthood. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and usable word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "majority" is a common noun signifying more than half of a group, legal adulthood, or the winning vote margin. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. This analysis, supported by numerous examples from sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, indicates its frequent use in news, formal writing, and scientific contexts. While "majority" is generally neutral, precision is crucial to avoid confusing it with similar terms like "plurality". Utilizing alternatives like "greater number" or "larger portion" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolute majority

Specifies that the majority is more than all other options combined.

over half

Directly quantifies the meaning of "majority" as being more than 50 percent.

greater number

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of being more numerous, differing from "majority" which implies more than half.

greater part

Similar to "larger portion" but can imply a significant, influential segment.

larger portion

Focuses on the proportional size rather than the dominance or legal aspect.

predominant section

Indicates the most influential or powerful segment of a group.

preponderance

Highlights the dominance or weight of one side over another, often in a more abstract sense.

bulk

Refers to the main part or largest share, which is simpler and less formal than "majority".

most people

Specifically refers to people, whereas "majority" can refer to any group or collection.

legal adulthood

Focuses on the specific legal meaning of reaching the age of majority.

FAQs

How is "majority" typically used in a sentence?

The word "majority" is generally used to indicate that more than half of a group agrees with something. For example, "The "majority of voters" supported the new policy."

What are some synonyms for "majority"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "greater number", "larger portion", or "preponderance" as alternatives to "majority".

What's the difference between "majority" and "plurality"?

"Majority" refers to more than 50% of the total, while "plurality" refers to the largest number, which may be less than 50% if there are more than two options.

Is it correct to say "the vast majority of people"?

Yes, "the vast majority of people" is a correct and common expression. It emphasizes that a very large portion, much more than a simple majority, agrees or does something.