make up the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

"make up the majority" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is the larger portion of something else. For example: "The majority of Americans make up the middle class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In some labor camps, Falun Gong practitioners make up the majority population.

Wikipedia

The thick major fibers make up the majority of the clot as shown in Fig.  2a.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Eventually, such people make up the majority.

Harvard Business Review

Long-tenured CEOs make up the majority of CEO-Chairs.

Columbia University

Jupiter-size planets make up the majority of confirmed exoplanets.

Harvard University

Women make up the majority of community college students.

The New York Times

Cakchiquel Maya make up the majority of the town's population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consequently, lower extremity injuries make up the majority of combat related trauma.

Injury

Streets make up the majority of the public realm in our towns and cities.

Procedia Environmental Sciences

The frontier adventures make up the majority of dime novel titles.

Yale University

Also, by 2028, many economists expect gig workers to make up the majority of the workforce.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up the majority", ensure that the context clearly defines the whole to which the majority belongs. For example, "Women make up the majority of college students" specifies that the 'whole' is the population of college students.

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb form when the subject referring to the majority is plural. For example, instead of saying "Women makes up the majority", use "Women make up the majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up the majority" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that a particular group or element constitutes the largest part of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it's used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make up the majority" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote that a particular group or element constitutes the largest portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's commonly found in scientific, news, and academic sources, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the whole being referenced and maintain subject-verb agreement. Alternatives such as "constitute the majority" or "form the majority" can add nuance depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute the majority

Changes the verb to "constitute", offering a more formal tone.

form the majority

Replaces "make up" with "form", providing a slightly more direct construction.

comprise the majority

Uses "comprise" instead of "make up", implying a composition of elements.

represent the majority

Emphasizes that the group or thing stands for or embodies the larger part.

account for the majority

Highlights that the group or thing explains or is responsible for the larger portion.

are in the majority

Focuses on the state of being the larger group.

hold the majority

Suggests possession or control of the larger part.

dominate the population

Implies a stronger influence or control by the larger group.

are the predominant group

Highlights that the group is the most noticeable or powerful.

constitute the largest segment

Focuses on the idea of something being the biggest part or section.

FAQs

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

You can use "make up the majority" to indicate that a particular group or element constitutes the larger portion of a whole, such as, "Students "make up the majority" of the population here."

What are some alternatives to "make up the majority"?

Some alternatives to "make up the majority" include "constitute the majority", "form the majority", or "comprise the majority".

Is there a subtle difference between "form the majority" and "make up the majority"?

"Form the majority" and "make up the majority" are often interchangeable. However, "form the majority" might suggest a more deliberate or active process of creating the majority, while "make up the majority" is more descriptive of the current composition.

Is it correct to say "making up the majority"?

Yes, "making up the majority" is a correct gerund form that can be used as part of a larger phrase. For example, "Students "making up the majority" influence school policy."