the bulk of which

USAGE SUMMARY

'the bulk of which' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to most of the previously mentioned items in a group. It is often used to describe a group of items, the majority of which have been mentioned earlier in the sentence. For example: I went to the store and bought several items, the bulk of which were on sale.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The company opened 387 stores in the fourth quarter, the bulk of which were discounters.

The New York Times

Today's Universal, the bulk of which is owned by General Electric, does it differently.

The New York Times

The mistakes proved costly, totaling $7 billion, the bulk of which will fall to AT&T.

The New York Times

Germany announced a $640 billion package, the bulk of which was $510 billion in loan guarantees.

The New York Times

This creates a captive market for public debt, the bulk of which is owned by banks.

The Economist

New York City has several extended-stay hotels that offer furnished apartments, the bulk of which are in Midtown.

The New York Times

Their third LP, the bulk of which is written already, will no doubt elicit its own superlatives.

The Guardian - Music

At stake is about $150 billion, the bulk of which would go to middle-class families and the unemployed.

The New York Times

Now, mobile makes up only a sliver of Zynga's revenue, the bulk of which comes from Facebook.

The New York Times

The most extensive falsification, however, is in the captions, the bulk of which Vishniac wrote after the war.

The New York Times - Magazine

The governor's plan also relies on a major new infusion of federal aid, more than $1 billion a year, the bulk of which is in serious doubt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the bulk of which", ensure that the antecedent is clearly defined and easily identifiable within the context of the sentence or paragraph.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the noun or group that "the bulk of which" refers to is unmistakably clear. A vague antecedent can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the bulk of which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It allows the writer to specify that the majority of a previously mentioned noun or group shares a certain characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the bulk of which" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that the majority of a previously mentioned entity shares a specific characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic and scientific writing. While slightly formal, it's essential for precise and clear communication. Remember to ensure the antecedent is clear to avoid ambiguity and consider using simpler alternatives like "most of which" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of which

Emphasizes a simple numerical superiority, focusing on more than half.

most of which

A more direct and common way of expressing that a large part is being referred to.

the greater part of which

Highlights that the portion is significant in size or importance.

the main portion of which

Focuses on the primary component or section of the whole.

the larger share of which

Implies a division into portions, with one being notably bigger.

a significant portion of which

Stresses that the part being discussed is substantial and noteworthy.

the principal part of which

Identifies the most important or leading element.

the lion's share of which

Suggests that one part has a disproportionately large allocation.

the predominant amount of which

Indicates that something is most common or noticeable.

the essential segment of which

Underlines the crucial or indispensable nature of the part.

FAQs

How can I use "the bulk of which" in a sentence?

Use "the bulk of which" to specify that the majority of a group or collection has a particular characteristic. For example, "I bought several books, "the bulk of which" were novels."

What phrases are similar to "the bulk of which"?

Similar phrases include "most of which", "the majority of which", and "the greater part of which". These all indicate that you're referring to the larger portion of something.

Is "the bulk of which" formal or informal?

"The bulk of which" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In more casual contexts, you might prefer using simpler alternatives like "most of" or "mainly".

What's the difference between "the bulk of which" and "some of which"?

"The bulk of which" indicates the majority, while "some of which" refers to a smaller, unspecified portion. Using "the bulk of which" emphasizes that you're talking about the larger part of a group.