the majority of countries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the majority of countries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation, trend, or characteristic that applies to most countries in a particular context. Example: "The majority of countries have implemented measures to combat climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The majority of countries in the Americas vaccinate children to prevent influenza illness and its associated economic burden [ 10, 11].

BMC Infectious Diseases

The figures in the majority of countries are falling quickly.

The New York Times

The majority of countries (27/35) had in place orphan drug legislation.

Harvard University

The majority of countries that require oil imports require dollars to pay for their fuel.

The Guardian - Business

Several important problems in the majority of countries are challenging the centralized and overburdened current model of healthcare.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

"The voluntary approach will not work in the majority of countries where it is most needed," the report says.

The Guardian

On Friday Vladimir Putin claimed that the majority of countries at the G20 summit were against military involvement.

The Guardian

Output has already peaked in the majority of countries and has been declining in the United States since 1971.

The Washington Post

It separates us from the majority of countries in the world, which still have not achieved it.

The New York Times

In the majority of countries poverty rates among the elderly are higher than those in the general population.

The Economist

HS codes have been adopted by the majority of countries as being the basis for import and export inspection and the generation of trade statistics.

Expert Systems with Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the majority of countries", ensure that your statement is supported by evidence, especially when making broad generalizations. Specify the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the majority of countries" without specifying the context or providing supporting data. This can lead to inaccurate or misleading statements. Always provide context or data to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the majority of countries" functions as a determiner phrase. It identifies a specific subset of countries, indicating that more than half of them share a particular characteristic or are involved in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the majority of countries" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that more than half of the world's nations share a particular characteristic or situation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. It's commonly found in scientific literature, news reports, and formal business communications, as well as it being recommended to specify the context and provide supporting data to avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives include "most countries" or "a significant number of countries".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most nations

Direct synonym, replacing "majority" with "most" for simplicity.

most countries

Direct synonym, more concise than the original phrase.

a majority of nations

Adds an article but maintains the same meaning and structure.

the bulk of nations

Replaces "majority" with "bulk", emphasizing a large mass or quantity.

a significant number of countries

Emphasizes the quantity of countries, suggesting a notable amount.

the greater part of countries

Uses "greater part" as a less common but synonymous expression.

a large proportion of countries

Focuses on the proportional representation of the countries.

many countries

Simplifies the phrase to a general indication of numerous countries.

the predominant number of countries

Replaces "majority" with "predominant number", highlighting prevalence.

virtually all countries

Suggests near universality, implying that almost every country is included.

FAQs

What does "the majority of countries" mean?

The phrase "the majority of countries" refers to more than half of the countries in the world or within a specific group being discussed. It indicates that a particular condition, situation, or characteristic is true for over 50% of the nations involved.

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

You can use alternatives like "most countries", "most nations", or "a significant number of countries" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "most countries" or "the majority of countries"?

Both "the majority of countries" and "most countries" are acceptable. "Most countries" is more concise, while "the majority of countries" provides a slightly more formal tone.

How accurate is it to use "the majority of countries" when describing global trends?

Using "the majority of countries" requires careful consideration and supporting evidence. Ensure your claim is backed by data, as broad generalizations can be misleading. Always specify the context to maintain accuracy.