make up the preponderance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up the preponderance" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a clear meaning, as "make up" and "preponderance" do not typically go together in this context. Example: "The evidence presented in court does not make up the preponderance needed to prove guilt."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now those dogs make up the preponderance of fatalities.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Albanians have long made up the preponderance of Kosovo residents, and they had a substantial degree of autonomy in the Communist era.

The New York Times

Ethnic Estonians make up the vast majority of the rural population, while the urban population has a preponderance of non-Estonians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Make up the bed.

WikiHow

Make up the mixture.

WikiHow

Make up the clues.

WikiHow

Make up the results.

WikiHow

Make up the dictionary.

WikiHow

Chances are Pixar films would make up a preponderance of them.

Los Angeles Times

Skip the make up.

WikiHow

In Pixar's history there've been some times when it hasn't [worked out], and we've had to make changes, but the preponderance of times it's paid off makes it worthwhile".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing large portions or prevalence, consider using more direct and widely accepted phrases like "constitute the majority" or "form the bulk of" for clarity.

Common error

Be mindful of combining terms that don't naturally collocate. While "preponderance" refers to a large amount, using "make up" with it can sound unnatural. Instead, opt for phrases where the words work together smoothly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up the preponderance" aims to describe the act of constituting the majority or a significant portion of something. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not standard English and is considered unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make up the preponderance" attempts to convey the idea of something constituting a major portion, it is not considered standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it lacks clarity and is awkwardly phrased. For better communication, substitute it with phrases such as "constitute the majority" or "form the bulk of". These alternatives offer greater precision and are more widely accepted across diverse contexts. The frequency of the expression is rare, further suggesting its non-idiomatic nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up the majority

Replaces preponderance with majority; is semantically similar and interchangeable in many contexts.

constitute the majority

Replaces "make up" with "constitute", offering a more formal and precise alternative.

form the bulk of

Uses "form the bulk of" to emphasize the significant portion something comprises.

account for the largest part

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of constituting a major share.

represent the greater portion

Highlights the representing aspect of something being a major part.

comprise the main element

Emphasizes the elemental role of something within a larger context.

dominate the composition

Highlights dominance in the overall makeup of something.

constitute the main body

Focuses on the main or principal part of something.

form the major component

Highlights the component aspect of being a significant part.

make up most

Simplified version, omitting 'the preponderance' for brevity.

FAQs

What does "make up the preponderance" mean?

The phrase "make up the preponderance" is not a standard or clear expression in English. It seems to aim at expressing that something constitutes a major part of something else, but it's phrased awkwardly. Better alternatives are needed for clarity.

How can I rephrase "make up the preponderance" for better clarity?

You can use alternatives like "constitute the majority", "form the bulk of", or "account for the largest part" to express the idea that something comprises a significant portion.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make up the preponderance"?

No, it is not grammatically ideal. While understandable, the phrasing is awkward and unconventional. It's better to use established phrases that clearly convey the intended meaning.

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

"Make up the preponderance" is an awkward, less common expression, while "constitute the majority" is a standard and clear way to express that something forms the larger part of a whole. Using the latter ensures better comprehension.