the majority has

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the majority has" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a large group of people or things that have the same qualities or preferences as a whole. For example, "The majority has voted in favor of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The majority has splintered; scandals have spread.

The Economist

The majority has acted unwisely.

The New York Times

The majority has never been made public".

The Guardian

One said: "The majority has decided: peace".

The New York Times

"The majority has acted unwisely," he said.

The New York Times

Being in the majority has proved hard for the Democrats.

The New Yorker

"The majority has left the Senate minority with two choices".

The New York Times

I am not disappointed that the majority has been reduced.

The Guardian

However, the majority has, of necessity, passed on the constitutional issues.

Cornell University

However, a new party that truly represents the majority has not yet emerged.

The New York Times

But the majority has not yet found a way to bend the minority to its will.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the majority has", ensure the context clearly defines the group you are referring to. For example, specify "the majority of voters has" rather than just "the majority has".

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs or pronouns when referring to "the majority" if you are emphasizing the individual members within the group. If you consider the majority as a unified block, singular agreement is correct, but for a collection of individuals, plural agreement may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the majority has" functions as a subject followed by an auxiliary verb, indicating an action, state, or characteristic that is true for most of a defined group. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the majority has" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that a particular state, action, or belief is characteristic of most members within a group. While its usage is generally neutral, paying attention to the subject-verb agreement (singular or plural) based on whether the emphasis is on the group as a whole or its individual members is critical for accurate communication. Ludwig examples from various domains illustrate its versatility in news, science, and academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most people have

Replaces "majority" with "most people", emphasizing the individuals within the group.

the greater part has

Substitutes "majority" with "greater part", maintaining a formal tone.

a significant number have

Replaces "majority" with "a significant number", highlighting the quantity involved.

the bulk have

Uses "bulk" instead of "majority", suggesting a large quantity or proportion.

the largest portion has

Emphasizes the size of the group with "largest portion" instead of "majority".

the prevailing view is

Shifts the focus to the opinion or perspective rather than the group itself.

the dominant group has

Highlights the power or influence of the group with "dominant group".

the general populace has

Replaces "majority" with "general populace", suggesting a broader demographic.

the common sentiment is

Focuses on the shared feeling or belief rather than the number of people holding it.

a clear trend indicates

Shifts the focus to a pattern or direction rather than a specific group.

FAQs

How do I use "the majority has" in a sentence?

Use "the majority has" to indicate that most people or things share a common characteristic or action. For example, "The majority has agreed to the terms" indicates most people agreed.

What can I say instead of "the majority has"?

You can use alternatives like "most people have", "a significant number have", or "the greater part has" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the majority have" instead of "the majority has"?

The choice between "the majority has" and "the majority have" depends on whether you're treating the majority as a singular unit or as individual members. "The majority has" treats it as a single entity, while "the majority have" emphasizes the individuals within it. Both are grammatically acceptable, though "the majority has" is more common.

What's the difference between "the majority has" and "the minority has"?

"The majority has" indicates that most people agree with something, whereas "the minority has" indicates that only a small group agrees. They represent opposite viewpoints within a larger group.