most of the

USAGE SUMMARY

"most of the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the majority of something is being discussed. For example, "Most of the students in my English class had already read the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of the mornings.

The New Yorker

Most of the mines closed.

The New Yorker

Most of the assailants died.

Independent

Most of the inhabitaants farmed.

The New Yorker

Most of the players do.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of the men listened.

The New York Times

Most of the audience applauded.

The New York Times

That's most of the world".

The New Yorker

Including most of the competition.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of the men were.

The New York Times

Most of the other "S.N.L".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most of the" when referring to a specific group or set that is already defined. For example, "Most of the students in the class passed the exam."

Common error

Be cautious when using "most of the" to ensure that you have sufficient evidence to support the claim. Avoid using it when referring to broad generalizations that may not be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of the" functions as a determiner that specifies quantity. It indicates that the majority of a particular group or thing is being referred to. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most of the" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate a majority within a specific group or set. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, underscores its importance in effective communication. When using the phrase, ensure it refers to a clearly defined group and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives such as "a majority of the" or "the majority of" can be used for variety. Remember, clarity and accuracy are paramount when expressing proportions in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a majority of the

Indicates a quantity greater than half of the total.

the majority of

Focuses on the larger part of a group or set.

almost all of the

Implies near-completeness, very close to 100%.

the greater part of

Highlights that a larger portion is being referred to.

a large number of the

Emphasizes quantity rather than proportion.

the bulk of

Refers to the main or largest part of something.

primarily the

Highlights the preeminence of something.

predominantly the

Indicates that something is mainly or chiefly the case.

for the most part

Specifies that something is generally true but not always.

by and large the

Similar to "for the most part", indicating general truth.

FAQs

How can I use "most of the" in a sentence?

The phrase "most of the" is used to indicate that a majority of a particular group or thing is being referred to. For example, "Most of the books on the shelf are non-fiction."

What are some alternatives to "most of the"?

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

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

No, "most the" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "most of the", which includes the preposition "of" to properly connect "most" to the noun it modifies.

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

"Most of the" indicates a majority of a specific group, while "the most" indicates the highest degree or quantity. For example, "Most of the students passed" vs. "He has the most points".