most of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a large amount of something is being discussed or alluded to, but not all of it. For example, "Most of my holiday was spent relaxing by the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of it, anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of them, anyway.

The New York Times

Most of us don't.

The New York Times

Most of them do".

The New York Times

Most of them won't.

The New York Times

"Most of it's wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

It's most of them.

The New York Times

That's most of it.

The New York Times

Most of us refused.

The Economist

Bradshaw most of all.

Independent

Most of us haven't.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most of" when you want to indicate that a significant portion, but not necessarily all, of something is being referred to. For example, "Most of the students passed the exam".

Common error

Ensure that the verb agrees with the noun following "of". If the noun is plural, use a plural verb (e.g., "Most of the books are interesting"). If the noun is uncountable, use a singular verb (e.g., "Most of the information is accurate").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of" functions as a determiner or quantifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate a majority or the greater part of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate that a majority or significant portion of something is being discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and considered correct. Its primary function is to quantify and specify the extent or proportion, fitting comfortably within a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, including news, general writing, and scientific discourse. When aiming for variety, alternatives such as "the majority of", "a large proportion of", and "almost all of" can be employed to refine the nuance of your expression. Remember to maintain verb agreement with the noun following "of" to ensure grammatical precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of

This alternative emphasizes a numerical dominance, suggesting more than half.

a majority

A more concise way of saying "the majority of".

a large proportion of

This phrase highlights a significant fraction without specifying an exact amount.

the greater part of

This option refers to the main or largest segment of something.

almost all of

This phrase indicates near completeness, implying very few exceptions.

the bulk of

This suggests the main mass or volume of something.

predominantly

Emphasizes that something is the most noticeable or common element.

largely

This suggests something is true to a great extent or degree.

mainly

This signifies the principal component or focus.

primarily

Indicates the main aspect or element.

FAQs

How do I use "most of" in a sentence?

Use "most of" followed by a noun phrase to indicate a majority. For example, "Most of the people agreed", or "Most of the time, I eat breakfast at home".

What can I say instead of "most of"?

You can use alternatives like "the majority of", "a large proportion of", or "almost all of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "most of the times"?

While grammatically acceptable, "most of the time" is more common and natural-sounding. You can also use phrases like "frequently" or "usually".

What's the difference between "most of" and "almost all of"?

"Most of" indicates a majority, while "almost all of" implies a near-complete quantity. The choice depends on how close you want to get to indicating "all".