most are

USAGE SUMMARY

"most are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a group of items or people and indicate that the majority of them meet a certain criteria. For example: "Most of the students in the class are under the age of twenty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most are instrumental.

The New York Times - Arts

Most are cured.

The New York Times - Sports

Most are conservative.

The Economist

Most are surprisingly warm".

Independent

Most are unpaid.

The New York Times

Most are instantly deleted.

The New York Times - Sports

Most are friendly.

The Economist

Most are nerds.

The Economist

Most are women.

The Economist

Most are rubbish.

The Economist

Most are cyclically poor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, follow "most are" with a specific adjective or description that accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "most are" without a clear reference point. Ensure the reader knows what 'most' refers to, or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

"Most are" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a verb, indicating a prevalence or majority within a group. It asserts that the greater portion of a specified set shares a common attribute or condition. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most are" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction to indicate that a majority of a specific group shares a common attribute. According to Ludwig, the usage of the phrase is correct in written English. It is common in various contexts, particularly within news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to define the group being referenced and ensure clarity. Ludwig's analysis and real-world examples show that the phrase is versatile and reliable in conveying general observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority are

Replaces "most" with "the majority", emphasizing a significant portion of the group.

are mostly

Inverts the order of the words for a similar meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

almost all are

Emphasizes near-complete inclusion, suggesting very few exceptions.

largely consist of

Shifts the focus to composition, indicating the primary components of something.

primarily comprise

Similar to 'largely consist of', but uses a more formal verb.

predominantly include

Highlights the main elements within a larger set.

mainly encompass

Emphasizes that something chiefly covers or includes specific items.

a great number are

Highlights that a significant quantity meets a certain condition.

a large proportion is

Focuses on the ratio or fraction that satisfies the condition.

chiefly constitute

Indicates that certain items form the main or most important part.

FAQs

How can I use "most are" in a sentence?

Use "most are" to indicate that the majority of a defined group share a characteristic. For example, "Most students are under 25." Ensure your audience knows what group you're referring to.

What's a good alternative to "most are"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the majority are", "mainly include", or "primarily comprise".

Is it better to say "most are" or "most is"?

"Most are" is grammatically correct when referring to plural nouns or countable items. "Most is" is incorrect. The word "most" can be followed by a plural verb (are) if it refers to a plural noun.

What does "most are" imply about the rest of the group?

"Most are" suggests that a notable proportion of the group does not fit the description. If you mean all, use "all are" instead.