most colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the majority of people you work with in a professional setting. Example: "Most colleagues agree that teamwork is essential for project success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But most colleagues oppose raising the tax.

The New York Times

Most colleagues feel nothing but awe for this sturdy powerhouse.

The Guardian - Film

Gage, by the way, exercises just about every day, as do most colleagues in his field.

The New York Times - Sports

While most colleagues published by the pound, he never completed a single work of legal scholarship.

The New York Times

Along the way, Thomas says he encountered challenges most colleagues couldn't conceive of.

The Guardian

She admitted that most colleagues in the industry are half her age.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

One of Rochefort's most trusted colleagues, Lt. Cmdr.

The New York Times - Books

Furthermore, Breyer's most liberal colleagues, John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, are eighty-five and seventy-two years old, respectively.

The New Yorker

Many of my most experienced colleagues have left or are planning to leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

He turned mathematics into a social activity, encouraging his most hermetic colleagues to work together.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The chief justice's two most senior colleagues, Justices Antonin Scalia and Anthony M. Kennedy, forcefully made similar points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most colleagues", ensure it accurately reflects the proportion you intend to convey. If you mean a near-unanimous agreement, consider using "nearly all colleagues" or "virtually all colleagues" for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "most colleagues" share the same opinion or experience without sufficient evidence. Acknowledge potential dissenting viewpoints or variations within the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most colleagues" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a majority within a group of professional associates. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most colleagues" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed way to refer to the majority of individuals in a professional setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it appropriate for various contexts, from news reports and scientific publications to everyday workplace communications. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure accuracy and avoid overgeneralization when attributing opinions or behaviors to "most colleagues". Remember to consider alternative phrases like "the majority of coworkers" or "a significant number of peers" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of coworkers

Replaces "most" with "the majority of", offering a more formal tone while retaining the core meaning.

a significant number of peers

Substitutes "colleagues" with "peers" and uses "a significant number of" to express the majority, changing the emphasis slightly.

the greater part of associates

Replaces "most" with "the greater part of" and "colleagues" with "associates", resulting in a more formal and somewhat archaic expression.

a large proportion of staff

Uses "a large proportion of" instead of "most" and "staff" instead of "colleagues", shifting the context slightly towards a more hierarchical workplace.

the bulk of collaborators

Employs "the bulk of" to mean most and uses "collaborators" to specify a working relationship focused on joint projects.

the majority of team members

Replaces "colleagues" with "team members", focusing on those who work together in a specific team.

a good many professionals

Uses "a good many" to indicate a substantial number and "professionals" to emphasize the professional aspect.

a considerable segment of partners

Substitutes "most" with "a considerable segment of" and "colleagues" with "partners", implying a more equal or invested working relationship.

nearly all coworkers

Expresses a near-complete agreement among colleagues; stronger than "most".

the prevailing view among staff

Focuses on a dominant opinion rather than a simple majority, also using "staff" instead of "colleagues".

FAQs

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

You can use "most colleagues" to describe the prevailing sentiment or behavior within a group of coworkers. For example, "Most colleagues agree that flexible work arrangements improve productivity."

What can I say instead of "most colleagues"?

You can use alternatives like "the majority of coworkers", "a significant number of peers", or "a large proportion of staff" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "most colleagues" or "the majority of colleagues"?

While both are acceptable, "the majority of colleagues" tends to be slightly more formal than "most colleagues". The choice depends on the overall tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "most colleagues" and "closest colleagues"?

"Most colleagues" refers to the majority of your coworkers. "Closest colleagues" refers to a smaller group of coworkers with whom you have the strongest relationships.