make up a minority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up a minority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a smaller group constitutes a part of a larger whole. Example: "Women make up a minority of the workforce in this industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This isn't because most teachers are deadbeats; bad apples make up a minority of the profession.

The Economist

But over all, those soaring through the air backward still make up a minority of skiers.

The New York Times - Travel

American applicants would have no edge in admissions and would most likely make up a minority of students.

The New York Times

The Northern Alliance is dominated by ethnic Uzbeks and Tajiks, who make up a minority of Afghanistan's population.

The New York Times

African-Americans make up a minority of crack users but account for about 80 percent of those convicted under the statute.

The New York Times

Still, in a sign of how the composition of the student body is shifting, Iowa residents will, for the first time this fall, make up a minority of the freshman class — 45 percent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In modern times biblical fundamentalists have made up a minority of Christians, but they have periodically gained considerable public and political influence, particularly in the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I'm aware broadly of lawsuits against us," He said.

TechCrunch

Though they made up a minority of the responses observed, we did see unequivocal development of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells.

Plosone

Figure 2 illustrates the vast majority of victims were killed/injured by a firearm (87%) and other methods made up a minority of cases.

Clinical interventions in aging

Foreign fighters make up a small minority of the overall number of insurgents in Iraq, American officials say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up a minority of", ensure that the context clearly defines the larger group to which the minority belongs. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make up a minority of" when the group in question actually constitutes a majority. Double-check the data to ensure accurate representation of proportions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up a minority of" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that a particular group or element constitutes a smaller portion of a larger whole. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it quantifies the relative size of a subset within a larger population or category.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make up a minority of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a smaller group's representation within a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts like News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: be sure to specify the overall group for accurate understanding. While alternatives exist, such as "constitute a small fraction of", the core meaning remains consistent. Use it confidently, but always ensure it reflects the true proportions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute a small fraction of

Replaces "make up" with "constitute" and uses "fraction" instead of "minority", focusing on the proportional aspect.

represent a smaller portion of

Emphasizes representation and uses "portion" instead of "minority", indicating a part of a whole.

form a small percentage of

Focuses on the numerical aspect using "percentage" to quantify the minority.

account for a small segment of

Highlights the contribution of the minority to a larger segment.

comprise a limited part of

Uses "comprise" as a formal alternative to "make up" and highlights the limited nature of the part.

consist of a reduced number of

Focuses on the quantity and the reduced size of the group in question.

are a smaller subset of

Uses the term "subset" to specify that the minority is a part of a larger set.

are in the minority within

Indicates that the group is less numerous compared to others within a certain context.

hold a small share of

Indicates possession and emphasizes the limited amount held by the minority.

are an underrepresented group in

Focuses on the lack of proportional representation of the group.

FAQs

How can I use "make up a minority of" in a sentence?

Use "make up a minority of" to indicate that a smaller group constitutes a part of a larger whole. For example, "Women "make up a minority of" the workforce in this industry."

What phrases are similar to "make up a minority of"?

You can use alternatives like "constitute a small fraction of", "represent a smaller portion of", or "form a small percentage of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "make up a minority of"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. However, always verify that the group you're referring to genuinely represents a minority within the specified context.

What's the difference between "make up a minority of" and "make up a majority of"?

"Make up a minority of" indicates a smaller portion, while "make up a majority of" indicates a larger, dominant portion. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the proportion of the group being described.