most of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"most of which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a group or list of items of which only a portion is relevant to the topic at hand. For example: "I have many hobbies, most of which involve being outdoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of today's Indians would agree.

The Economist

Most of 1981 was spent kissing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most of March 25 passed like any Saturday.

The New York Times - Magazine

Throughout most of 2016, the S.&P.

The New York Times

Protests continued through most of this year.

The New York Times

Most of today's problems are like that.

University of California, Berkeley

Most of this year's competitors will probably be back next year.

The New York Times - Travel

For most of 1999 I tried to live in 1666.

The New York Times - Arts

So I better make the most of this year and next year".

The New York Times - Sports

"That day has been around for most of this year".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, "Gypsy" sold well for most of 2003.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most of which" to add detail about a subset of a larger group, providing specific information about that subset.

Common error

Avoid using "most of which" if the noun it's referring to is unclear or too far away in the sentence structure. This can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of which" functions as a relative pronoun phrase, introducing a non-restrictive clause that provides additional information about a previously mentioned noun or pronoun. It indicates that a majority, but not necessarily all, of the antecedent is being discussed. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most of which" is a versatile relative pronoun phrase used to specify that a majority of a previously mentioned group is being discussed. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various writing styles, mainly appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, clarity in its antecedent reference is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "majority of which" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

majority of which

Replaces "most" with "majority", emphasizing a simple numerical superiority.

much of which

Substitutes "most" with "much", suitable when referring to a non-countable entity.

the bulk of which

Emphasizes the substantial size or volume of the relevant portion.

the greater part of which

Highlights the relatively larger size of the portion being considered.

a vast majority of which

Stresses an overwhelming proportion of the total.

the large majority of which

Similar to "a vast majority", but slightly less emphatic.

most parts of which

Emphasizes the individual components rather than the whole.

a majority of those

A more direct alternative referring to the majority in a previously mentioned group.

most parts among them

Slightly informal, implies selection among a set of items.

most of this total

Specific alternative if referring to a previously mentioned numerical total.

FAQs

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

"Most of which" is used to refer to a majority of a previously mentioned group. For example, "I bought several books, "most of which" I plan to read this summer".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "most of which"?

Alternatives include "majority of which", "much of which", or "the greater part of which". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "most of who" instead of "most of which"?

No, "most of who" is generally incorrect. Use "most of whom" when referring to people, and "most of which" when referring to things.

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

"Most of which" refers to a majority of a group, while "all of which" refers to the entirety of the group. For example, "I read several books, "most of which" were enjoyable" (some weren't), versus "I read several books, all of which were enjoyable" (every book was enjoyable).