the bulk of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the bulk of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a large amount or proportion of something. For example, "The bulk of the profits were reinvested in the business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bulk of it went to Russia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Geiger handles the bulk of myriad requests.

The New York Times - Sports

She did the bulk of it.

The New York Times

The bulk of it is done.

The New York Times

Q.Are offices the bulk of your portfolio?

The New York Times

Texas has seen the bulk of them.

The New York Times

The bulk of the protesters departed.

The New York Times

The bulk of Germany still thinks Nazi.

The New Yorker

Their secretions form the bulk of semen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bulk of them are at Nassau Community College.

The New York Times

The bulk of the donations never materialized.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the bulk of" to emphasize a substantial portion, especially when comparing it to other smaller parts. For example, "The bulk of the evidence supports this theory."

Common error

Avoid using "the bulk of" when referring to abstract concepts or uncountable nouns where "most" or "the majority" would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The bulk of his happiness came from his job", consider "Most of his happiness came from his job".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the bulk of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as a modifier. It specifies that a significant portion or the major part of something is being referred to. Ludwig's examples show it preceding various nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the bulk of" is a versatile phrase used to denote the major portion of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider alternatives like "the majority of" in highly formal settings. To avoid errors, ensure "the bulk of" is used with countable or physical quantities and not abstract concepts. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "the bulk of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of

Indicates a quantity greater than half of the total, shifting focus to a simple majority.

the greater part of

Highlights that one portion exceeds others in size or importance.

most of

A more concise and informal way to express a large quantity or proportion.

the largest portion of

Emphasizes that the considered amount is the most extended among multiple portions.

the lion's share of

Suggests that a quantity is unfairly large, often implying that others received less.

the preponderance of

Indicates that one part is heavier or more influential than the others.

the vast majority of

Stresses how the most significant part is immense and dominates a quantity.

the main body of

Focuses on the key or central component within a broader composition.

the principal part of

Emphasizes the primary aspect or component, highlighting its importance.

the better part of

Highlights that the main amount is of higher quality or more desirable.

FAQs

How do I use "the bulk of" in a sentence?

Use "the bulk of" to indicate that a large portion or majority of something is being referred to. For example: "The bulk of the work is now complete."

What can I say instead of "the bulk of"?

You can use alternatives like "the majority of", "most of", or "the greater part of" depending on the context.

Is it formal to use "the bulk of"?

While "the bulk of" is generally acceptable in most contexts, alternatives such as "the majority of" might be preferred in more formal writing. Consider your audience and purpose.

What is the difference between "the bulk of" and "the majority of"?

"The bulk of" typically refers to the largest part by volume or size, while "the majority of" refers to more than half. The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing size or numerical superiority.