most of these

USAGE SUMMARY

"most of these" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used whenever you are referring to a group of things that have previously been mentioned. For example: "There are many challenges facing my business. Most of these, I believe, can be successfully overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of these will sink.

Independent

Most of these companies die.

The New Yorker

Most of these are dull.

The Economist

Most of these distractions are thoughtfully presented.

The New York Times - Travel

Most of these newcomers get government support.

The Economist

Most of these can be safely ignored.

The Economist

Most of these have been right feet.

Independent

"Most of these are English," Brenda said.

The New York Times

Most of these are virgin epigenomic territory.

The Economist

Most of these will be women.

The New York Times

Most of these are cash deals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, consider using specific percentages or numbers instead of "most of these". For example, instead of "Most of these participants agreed", state "75% of the participants agreed".

Common error

Avoid using "most of these" when the group you're referring to is ambiguous or hasn't been clearly defined. Always ensure that "these" has a direct and easily identifiable antecedent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of these" functions as a determiner followed by a pronoun, modifying a noun implicitly understood from prior context. It specifies that the majority of the items previously mentioned possess a certain characteristic or are subject to a particular action. Ludwig AI provides various examples of its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most of these" is a versatile phrase used to denote a majority within a previously mentioned group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives like "the majority of these" in professional or academic settings. Ensure the referent is clear and unambiguous, and avoid using it with uncountable nouns. The phrase's high frequency and consistent application in authoritative sources underscore its reliability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of these

Replaces "most" with "the majority", emphasizing a larger proportion.

a majority of these

Similar to "the majority of these", but with a slightly less definitive tone.

the greater part of these

Offers a more formal alternative to "most", indicating a substantial portion.

a large number of these

Focuses on the quantity rather than the proportion.

the bulk of these

Emphasizes the substantial size or volume of the referred items.

nearly all of these

Suggests a proportion very close to complete inclusion, slightly higher than "most".

almost all of these

Similar to "nearly all of these", indicating near-complete inclusion.

a good many of these

Indicates a significant, but not necessarily overwhelming, number.

a significant portion of these

Highlights that the part being discussed is important or noteworthy.

the predominant part of these

Implies that the referred items constitute the most influential or noticeable section.

FAQs

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

"Most of these" is used to refer to a majority of items within a previously mentioned group. For instance, "I bought several books, and "most of these" are novels."

What are some alternatives to "most of these"?

Alternatives include phrases like "majority of these", "large number of these", or "greater part of these", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "the majority of these" instead of "most of these"?

Yes, "the majority of these" generally carries a slightly more formal tone compared to "most of these". The choice depends on the formality of your writing or speech.

Can "most of these" be used with uncountable nouns?

No, "most of these" is generally used with countable nouns, as it refers to individual items within a group. For uncountable nouns, use phrases like "most of this" (e.g., "most of this water", where 'water' is uncountable).