the majority is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the majority is" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate the opinion of or belief held by the majority of people. For example: "The majority is of the opinion that the new policy will have a positive effect on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The majority is Sunni.

The New York Times

The majority is done on purpose, mostly to make fertilisers.

The Economist

That is unorthodox: the majority is usually cast in terms of those who voted.

The Economist

The majority is what he hears from God".

The New York Times - Sports

And the majority is unwilling to do that.

The New York Times

The majority is deeply wrong on the law.

The New York Times

"If the majority is corrupt, how can we accept them?

The New York Times

In such cases, the majority is self-perpetuating while perpetuating the vested interests which made it a majority.

The Economist

The dictatorship of the majority is arguably a little less odious than the dictatorship of the minority.

The Economist

Ken Mehlman, the Republican Party's new chairman, warns that the majority is "not overwhelming" and won't produce "automatic victories".

The Economist

This has not only meant abandoning oversight (the majority is forever stuffing bloated last-minute amendments into already bloated bills).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the majority is", ensure the context clearly defines the group or population you are referring to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a visible or vocal group represents "the majority". Always verify with reliable data or evidence before making such claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the majority is" functions as a subject complement. It identifies or describes the subject of a sentence, indicating what the larger part of a group or population believes or does. Ludwig's examples show this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the majority is" is a versatile phrase used to express the prevailing sentiment, characteristic, or action within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its high frequency in "News & Media" contexts indicates its importance in reporting general trends and public opinion. While seemingly straightforward, the phrase's effectiveness depends on a clear understanding of the group being referenced. By considering alternative phrases and avoiding assumptions, writers can wield this expression with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most are

This alternative offers a shorter and more direct way to express that a large portion of something belongs to a certain category.

the greater part is

Replaces "majority" with "greater part" emphasizing the substantial portion, maintains a formal tone.

the bulk is

Uses "bulk" to highlight the main mass or quantity, suitable when emphasizing volume or size.

the preponderance is

Replaces "majority" with "preponderance" which indicates having more weight or influence, maintaining a formal tone.

the dominant portion is

Substitutes "dominant portion" for "majority", stressing the aspect of influence or control.

a significant number is

Shifts focus to the number being substantial rather than the concept of majority.

largely consists of

Emphasizes composition over numerical dominance, focusing on what something is made up of.

the main body is

Uses "main body" to highlight the principal part, suitable for when discussing structures or organizations.

the prevailing view is

Focuses on opinions or beliefs, replacing the numerical majority with the idea of widespread acceptance.

the general trend is

Highlights direction or movement rather than static quantity, suitable when discussing changes or developments.

FAQs

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

Use "the majority is" to indicate what most people in a group think or do. For example, "The majority is in favor of the new policy".

What's a good alternative to "the majority is"?

Consider using alternatives such as "most are", "the greater part is", or "the bulk is" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the majority are" instead of "the majority is"?

While technically "majority" can refer to a collective group, "the majority is" is generally preferred in formal writing when referring to a singular opinion or state. "The majority are" might be acceptable when directly referring to individual people, but it's less common.

What are the implications of using "the majority is" in an argument?

Using "the majority is" can strengthen your argument by suggesting widespread agreement. However, it's crucial to provide evidence to support the claim and avoid the fallacy of appealing to popularity without factual basis.