majority opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

"majority opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the opinion of the majority group or the popular opinion. For example, "The majority opinion is that the new restaurant in town is excellent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan joined the majority opinion.

The New Yorker

Justice Elena Kagan wrote the majority opinion.

The New Yorker

Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion.

The New York Times

Justice Souter's majority opinion rejected that argument.

The New York Times

The majority opinion, California Democratic Party v.

The New York Times

The majority opinion studiously avoided speculation about the future.

The New York Times

"Liberty and security can be reconciled," the majority opinion said.

The New York Times

Then the justices vote, and the majority opinion is assigned.

The New York Times

The majority opinion was written by Justice Scalia.

The New York Times

The majority opinion said the four were "cognizant" of it.

The New York Times

The majority opinion around the league is: No way.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal decisions, specify which justice wrote the "majority opinion" to provide context and authority.

Common error

Avoid using "majority opinion" when you actually mean the opposite, the 'minority opinion'. Ensure clarity by double-checking which viewpoint is being represented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "majority opinion" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It denotes the official statement that explains the reasoning behind a decision supported by the majority of the members of a court. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "majority opinion" is a commonly used noun phrase, denoting the prevailing view, especially in legal and formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans across various domains, including news, science, and legal discourse, indicating its versatility and relevance. When using "majority opinion", clarity is key, especially in distinguishing it from the 'minority opinion'. The related phrases offer alternative ways to express the concept of a widespread viewpoint, each with subtle nuances. Be particularly mindful in legal context, because citing the author of the opinion adds further authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general consensus

Highlights the agreement among a group of people on a specific matter.

prevailing view

Focuses on the dominance or widespread acceptance of a particular viewpoint.

dominant perspective

Emphasizes the leading or most influential viewpoint in a given context.

collective judgment

Highlights the process of reaching a decision or opinion as a group.

common belief

Refers to a widely held conviction or idea within a community.

public perception

Focuses on how something is understood or viewed by the general public.

popular sentiment

Indicates the feelings or attitudes that are widely shared by the public.

mainstream thought

Denotes the ideas or opinions that are considered normal or conventional.

accepted wisdom

Implies a belief or understanding that is generally regarded as true or valid.

conventional wisdom

Similar to accepted wisdom but sometimes used critically to suggest a lack of originality.

FAQs

How is "majority opinion" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "majority opinion" refers to the decision agreed upon by more than half of the judges or justices hearing a case. It carries significant weight as it establishes precedent for future cases.

What can I say instead of "majority opinion"?

You can use alternatives like "prevailing view", "general consensus", or "dominant perspective" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "majority opinion" and public opinion?

"Majority opinion" often refers to a formal decision within a specific group, such as a court, while public opinion reflects the broader views of the general population.

How do I cite a "majority opinion" in academic writing?

When citing a "majority opinion", include the name of the case, the court, the date, and the specific page number where the opinion is found, following the appropriate citation style (e.g. Bluebook, APA).