the great majority

USAGE SUMMARY

'the great majority' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a very large number or proportion of an entire group. For example, "The great majority of people voted in favor of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The great majority are rejected.

The Economist

The great majority was derivative".

The New York Times

The great majority of casualties are civilians.

The New York Times

He'll get the great majority of them.

The New York Times

We are the great majority, the 80%!

The Guardian

The great majority simply went to sleep.

The New Yorker

The great majority are primary schools.

The Guardian

Nor will the great majority of women.

The Guardian - Opinion

The great majority of these investigations refers to experimental works.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

The great majority of the species were amphipods.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

The great majority of survivors end up with enduring disabilities.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying the group you are referring to. For example, instead of saying "The great majority agree", specify "The great majority of voters agree".

Common error

Avoid using "the great majority" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language with synonyms like "most", "the vast majority", or "a significant portion" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the great majority" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, forming a noun phrase. This phrase is typically used to quantify a substantial portion of a group or population, highlighting that a significant number share a particular attribute or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the great majority" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate that a significant proportion of a group shares a particular attribute, opinion, or condition. It is commonly found in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and maintain clarity by specifying the group being referenced. Alternatives such as "the vast majority" or "most people" can offer stylistic variety. Overall, "the great majority" is a reliable and effective choice for conveying prevalence and scale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority

This alternative is shorter and more common, but less emphatic.

the vast majority

This alternative is highly similar, emphasizing the largeness of the proportion.

the overwhelming majority

This alternative stresses the dominance of the proportion.

the bulk

This alternative is more concise and informal, referring to the main part of something.

the greater part

This alternative is a more formal and slightly less emphatic way of saying "the great majority".

most people

This alternative focuses specifically on people, making it less versatile but more direct in that context.

a large proportion

This alternative is more descriptive, highlighting the proportional aspect.

a significant number

This alternative emphasizes the quantity rather than the proportion.

almost all

This alternative suggests a proportion very close to complete inclusion.

the preponderance

A more formal and technical term indicating a significant weight or influence.

FAQs

What does "the great majority" mean?

The phrase "the great majority" refers to a very large portion of a group, indicating that most members share a common characteristic, opinion, or condition. It's similar to saying "most" or "the vast majority".

How can I use "the great majority" in a sentence?

You can use "the great majority" to describe a group where most members share a certain attribute. For example: "The great majority of students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "the great majority"?

Alternatives to "the great majority" include "the vast majority", "the overwhelming majority", "most people", or "the majority". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "the great majority" and "the majority"?

While both phrases indicate more than half of a group, "the great majority" implies a significantly larger proportion than simply "the majority". Using "the great majority" emphasizes that the group is not just slightly over half, but substantially larger.