make up the bulk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up the bulk" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means that the majority of something is made up of one or more components. For example, "Most of the food at the buffet made up the bulk of the meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Brin's shares make up the bulk of his $23 billion fortune.

The New York Times

In terms of value, stone and construction sand and gravel make up the bulk of the state's mining output.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The constructions hidden under water and earth make up the bulk of the value and volume of materials used.

Wikipedia

Transition metals make up the bulk of the metals.

The Guardian

Developing countries, which make up the bulk of W.T.O.

The New York Times

Caps, jerseys and T-shirts make up the bulk of sales.

The New York Times - Sports

Let's start with the 2011 reds, which make up the bulk of Bordeaux production.

The New York Times - Food

3,000-odd 3,000-oddof histeacherse up the bulk of thistoryership.

The New Yorker

Such conversations and statements make up the bulk of the biography.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Subscriptions will make up the bulk of The Daily's revenue at first.

The New York Times

"But oxycodone, hydrocodone, Xanax — those make up the bulk of the problem".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up the bulk", ensure the context clearly indicates the total amount or quantity being referred to. For example, specify "sales from online channels make up the bulk of the company's revenue".

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb when the subject referring to what "make up the bulk" is plural. For instance, instead of saying "The ingredients makes up the bulk", say "The ingredients make up the bulk".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up the bulk" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that certain elements constitute the major portion of something. Ludwig shows various examples of this usage across diverse contexts, reinforcing its function in describing composition and proportion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make up the bulk" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote that something constitutes the majority of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across diverse contexts. It's important to maintain subject-verb agreement and be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with your intended level of formality. While highly versatile, consider related phrases like "constitute the majority" for more formal settings and avoid overusing it in formal writing. Usage is prevalent in news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains, emphasizing its wide applicability. This expression provides a clear and concise way to express proportional relationships within a broader context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute the majority

Replaces "make up" with "constitute", focusing on the composition of the larger part.

form the greater part

Emphasizes that something is creating the largest portion of the whole.

account for the majority

Highlights the aspect of explaining where the largest portion originates.

represent the largest share

Focuses on the representation of a significant proportion in a quantifiable manner.

comprise the main body

Uses more formal language to denote the principal component.

are the predominant component

Highlights the aspect of being the most dominant and noticeable element.

constitute the lion's share

Emphasizes that something is taking the biggest proportion, using an idiomatic expression.

dominate the composition

Stresses the aspect of being the element that has the most influence on the overall structure.

are the primary ingredient

Highlights the aspect of being an essential component, crucial for the result.

form the main constituent

Replaces "bulk" with a more formal term, "constituent", implying a fundamental element.

FAQs

How can I use "make up the bulk" in a sentence?

You can use "make up the bulk" to indicate that something constitutes the majority or largest portion of a whole. For example, "Subscriptions will "make up the bulk" of The Daily's revenue at first".

What's the difference between ""make up the bulk"" and "constitute the majority"?

While both phrases express that something forms the largest part, "make up the bulk" is slightly more informal. "Constitute the majority" is often used in more formal or technical contexts.

What can I say instead of ""make up the bulk""?

Alternatives include "form the greater part", "account for the majority", or "represent the largest share", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "making up the bulk" instead of ""make up the bulk""?

Yes, "making up the bulk" is a valid gerund or participial phrase. For example, you could say, "Those accounts, "making up the bulk" of the information in your credit report, provide valuable insights into your financial history."