majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "majority of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a large amount or proportion of something, as compared to the remainder. For example, "A majority of the votes went to the winning candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The majority of I.T.U.

The New York Times - Tech

The majority of Which?

Independent

The vast majority of U.A.E.

The New York Times

The majority of you failed.

The New Yorker

A majority of them do.

The New York Times - Sports

"The majority of the building is empty".

The New York Times

@bwadykstra The majority of muslims despise ISIS.

Independent

The majority of the commissioners ignored him.

The New York Times

A majority of that goes toward CrossFit.

The New York Times

A majority of House Democrats are signatories.

The New York Times

The overwhelming majority of Omanis are Muslims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "majority of", ensure the context clearly defines the total group being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Majority of students failed", specify "Majority of the students in the class failed".

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb with "majority of" when referring to plural nouns. Although "majority" is singular, the phrase "majority of students" requires a plural verb: "The majority of students are in favor", not "is in favor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "majority of" functions as a determiner or quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that more than half of the group or thing being referred to is included. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "majority of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that more than half of a specified group or thing is being referenced. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's employed across a variety of contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, making it an essential component of effective communication. While alternatives like "most of" exist, understanding the nuances of "majority of" ensures clarity and precision in your writing. Remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and specify the group being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most of

More concise; suitable for informal contexts.

the greater part of

More formal and emphasizes the larger portion.

a large proportion of

Highlights the relative amount, often used in statistical contexts.

the bulk of

Suggests the main mass or volume of something.

a significant number of

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the quantity.

the majority share of

Commonly used in business contexts to denote controlling interest.

a preponderance of

Implies a heavier weight or influence due to the larger quantity.

the lion's share of

Idiomatic expression for the largest part, often implying unfair distribution.

the greatest number of

Focuses on the highest count, often used in comparative statements.

primarily

Indicates the main or principal element, used when something consists mainly of one part.

FAQs

How do I use "majority of" in a sentence?

Use "majority of" followed by a noun (plural or uncountable) to indicate that more than half of a group or thing is being referred to. For example, "The "majority of students" voted yes" or "The "majority of the work" is complete".

What's a more concise alternative to "majority of"?

The phrase "most of" can often be used as a shorter alternative to "majority of" while maintaining similar meaning. For example, instead of saying "The majority of people agree", you can say "Most of people agree".

Is there a difference between "majority of" and "most of"?

While both phrases indicate a large proportion, "majority of" typically implies more than 50%, whereas "most of" can simply mean a large portion without necessarily exceeding half. The choice depends on the precision required in your statement.

When should I use "the majority of" versus "a majority of"?

"The majority of" is used when referring to a specific, identifiable group (e.g., "The "majority of the committee" agreed"), whereas "a majority of" is used when referring to a more general group (e.g., "A "majority of voters" support the measure").