the greater portion

USAGE SUMMARY

"the greater portion" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the larger part of something, often in a comparative context. For example, "The greater portion of the audience applauded enthusiastically." Alternative expressions include "the majority" and "the larger share."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The greater portion of her work examined the lives of notable American women.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The greater portion of each book consists of historical, architectural and artistic information about every point of touristic interest.

The New York Times - Arts

The greater portion of the old town wall, together with one of the original seven gates, still remains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Resided in Boca Raton, but the greater portion of his heart remained up north with his two loving children.

The New York Times

The greater portion of the album features Mr. Johnson's compositions, which tend toward simple and durable construction.

The New York Times - Arts

The greater portion of the kaiseki-style menu is lavish and poetically obfuscating, with a foreword that dedicates the diner's palate to umami, the fifth taste.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

To avoid Fe toxicity and facilitate its transport, the greater portions of both ferric and ferrous cellular Fe are chelated.

Rice

Shoes made up the greatest portion of my possessions.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the greatest portion of the wealth remains with feudal landlords, most of whom are Shiites.

The New York Times - Magazine

The greatest portion of the wheat flour produced is used for breadmaking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Igawa spent the great portion of that contract in the minor leagues.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the entity being divided is a collective noun or an uncountable mass, as this phrase emphasizes the division of a whole.

Common error

Avoid using "the greater portion" when you specifically mean a ratio or relative relationship that doesn't represent a physical or metaphorical part of a whole. While related, a "portion" is a piece or section, whereas a "proportion" is the relationship between parts. If you are discussing statistics and mathematical ratios, "the greater proportion" might be more precise.

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "the greater portion", "the" is a definite article, "greater" is a comparative adjective and "portion" is a noun. It functions as a noun phrase that usually serves as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is frequently used to introduce a majority share of a total entity.

Frequent in

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

32%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the greater portion" is a highly effective, formal way to describe a majority. Based on Ludwig AI's database of 45 exact matches from premier sources, it is most at home in academic and encyclopedic writing. While it is perfectly interchangeable with "the greater part", it carries a slightly more analytical tone that suits technical descriptions of data, geography and history. Writers should use it to provide variety and sophistication in their prose, especially when "the majority" feels too repetitive or simple for the surrounding context. Ludwig's examples show its versatility across scientific research, high-end journalism and historical documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of

The most standard and direct way to express more than half of a total.

the greater part

Uses "part" instead of "portion", functioning as a near-perfect interchangeable synonym.

the larger part

Slightly less formal than "greater" but maintains the same comparative structure.

the bulk of

Emphasizes the mass or weight of the majority, often used for physical objects or large data sets.

most of

A simpler, more common alternative suitable for all levels of conversation.

the lion's share

An idiomatic expression highlighting the largest possible portion, often implying an unfair or dominant amount.

a significant portion of

Indicates a large amount that is not necessarily the majority (though often is).

the preponderance of

A very formal, technical term often used in legal or academic contexts.

the main part

Focuses on the central or most important section rather than strictly the quantity.

a large percentage of

Offers a more quantitative feel, often used when specific numbers are implied.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "the greater portion"?

Depending on your context, you can use more common alternatives like "the majority of", "most of" or the slightly less formal "the bulk of".

Is it correct to say "the greater portion" or "the greatest portion"?

Both are grammatically correct but serve different purposes. Use "the greater portion" when comparing one part against the rest (implicitly or explicitly). Use "the greatest portion" when there are three or more distinct parts being compared and you are identifying the single largest one.

When is "the greater portion" used most frequently?

According to Ludwig's data, this phrase is a staple in formal writing, appearing regularly in sources like Encyclopedia Britannica and scientific journals to describe geographic areas, historical periods or scientific data distributions.

What is the difference between "the greater portion" and "the greater part"?

The difference is negligible. "the greater part" is slightly more frequent in general literature, while "the greater portion" is often preferred in technical or formal descriptions of physical matter or specific resources.