majority of three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "majority of three" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a decision-making process or voting scenario involving a group of three individuals, indicating that more than half of them agree on a particular issue. Example: "In the committee meeting, the majority of three voted in favor of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He won a majority of three, but for many Tory MPs losing was a sin.

The Guardian

Seven months later Wilson tried to put his administration on a stronger footing by calling another general election; he won a flimsy majority of three.

The Guardian

But, although Labour ends up with a slender majority of three after the October 1974 election, things get rougher and tougher.

The Guardian

Labour consolidated its position in the second election of the year, in October, when it won 319 seats, giving Wilson a majority of three.

The Guardian

A poll in the Harvard Crimson revealed that undergraduates were opposed to Mr Summers's ousting by a majority of three to one.

The Economist

Blacks with school-age children already support vouchers by a majority of three to one.The Supreme Court did more than allow vouchers to survive.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

That would achieve a majority of two.

The Guardian

He won with a very slim majority of five seats.

The Guardian

The result was a comfortable Republican majority of thirty-three seats.

The New Yorker

"A majority of one is still a majority," he insisted.

Independent

The board has a chavista majority of four to one.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "majority of three" when you need to emphasize the exact numerical difference in a voting or decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "majority of three" when you actually mean a ratio or proportion (e.g., "a "majority of three" to one"). In those cases, specify the ratio explicitly (e.g., "three to one").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "majority of three" typically functions as a noun phrase describing the size of a winning margin in a vote or decision. As seen in Ludwig, it often appears in political or organizational contexts, specifying the numerical difference between opposing sides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "majority of three" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily in news and media, to describe a situation where a decision is reached with a winning margin of three. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately depicts the numerical advantage in votes or opinions. While frequently found in political contexts, it also appears in science and general discussions. Alternatives like "three-vote majority" or "narrow majority" can be used to add emphasis or vary the phrasing. When using "majority of three", ensure that it clearly refers to a numerical difference and not a proportional comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three-vote majority

Reorders the words to emphasize the size of the majority.

majority of 3

Uses the numerical digit instead of writing out the number.

three-person majority

Specifies that the majority consists of people, adding clarity in certain contexts.

a three-vote margin

Replaces "majority" with "margin" to indicate the difference in votes.

a majority consisting of three

Expands the sentence to more explicitly state what constitutes the majority.

three-member majority

Highlights that the majority is composed of members.

a slender majority of three

Adds the adjective "slender" to emphasize the small size of the majority.

a narrow majority of three

Uses "narrow" to underscore the precarious nature of the majority.

trio-based majority

Uses "trio" to show that there are 3 members in the majority.

a three-way majority

Implies that the majority is formed from a group of three entities or individuals.

FAQs

How to use "majority of three" in a sentence?

You can use "majority of three" to indicate that, in a group, the difference between those in favor and those against is three. For instance, "The council approved the proposal by a "majority of three"."

What does "majority of three" mean in a political context?

In politics, "majority of three" usually means that a party or coalition has three more seats than necessary to pass legislation or maintain power. It indicates a very slim and potentially unstable governing position.

What can I say instead of "majority of three"?

Alternatives include "three-vote majority", "slim majority", or "narrow majority" depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it more common to say "majority of three" or "three-vote majority"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "three-vote majority" might be slightly more common as it emphasizes the voting context. The choice often depends on the specific writing style or context.