the majority of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"the majority of which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a large proportion of something belongs to a group or is of a certain type. For example: "The room was filled with books, the majority of which were fiction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Respondents provided data on 534 courses, the majority of which were courses for majors.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The majority of Which?

Independent

Submit three to six articles, at least the majority of which have been published.

Yale University

The sale raised £251,500, the majority of which will go to the National Literacy Trust.

The Guardian - Books

About 600 structures were damaged, the majority of which were single-family homes.

The Guardian

Oxycodone accounted for 60.7% of these detections, the majority of which were sourced from Thailand.

The Guardian - Opinion

By 4am operators had answered 2,639 emergency calls, the majority of which were alcohol-related.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The market for filament, the majority of which is made from virgin plastic, is growing rapidly.

The Guardian

I write to you today with many updates, the majority of which are uninstalled.

The New Yorker

The project will cost more than $100,000, the majority of which will be private donations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Australia's economy relies heavily on its cattle herds, the majority of which are raised in Queensland.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the pronoun "which" clearly refers to a specific noun or noun phrase. Ambiguous references can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the majority of who" when referring to things or concepts. "Which" is appropriate for non-human entities, while "who" is for people. Example: Incorrect: "The books, the majority of who were old..." Correct: "The books, the majority of which were old..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the majority of which" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a previously mentioned noun or noun phrase. Ludwig AI shows it's used to specify that a large portion of that noun or noun phrase shares a particular characteristic or attribute. The pronoun 'which' refers back to the previously mentioned noun, clarifying its composition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “the majority of which” is a versatile relative clause used to provide additional, specific details about a previously mentioned group or set. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and most often used to highlight that a large portion of the group shares a particular attribute. While commonly found in formal writing, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts, ensure “which” clearly refers to the intended noun. Remember to use alternatives like “most of which” for a less formal tone and always prioritize clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most of which

This alternative is more concise and slightly less formal.

the greater part of which

This alternative is very similar in meaning and formality, emphasizing the size of the portion.

a large proportion of which

This alternative is more descriptive, explicitly stating that a large proportion is being referred to.

the bulk of which

This alternative emphasizes the substantial size or volume of the portion.

a significant number of which

This alternative highlights the importance or impact of the number or quantity.

the preponderance of which

This is a more formal alternative, indicating a clear dominance in quantity or influence.

a considerable amount of which

This alternative emphasizes that the amount is substantial and worthy of attention.

mainly comprising

This alternative shifts the focus to the composition of the whole, indicating what it primarily consists of.

primarily consisting of

Similar to "mainly comprising", this focuses on the makeup of the whole.

largely composed of

Again, like previous alternatives, this focuses on the elements that constitute the larger entity.

FAQs

How can I use "the majority of which" in a sentence?

Use "the majority of which" to specify that a large portion of a previously mentioned group or set shares a particular characteristic. For example: "The articles, the majority of which were peer-reviewed, supported the hypothesis."

What phrases can I use instead of "the majority of which"?

You can use alternatives like "most of which", "the greater part of which", or "a large proportion of which" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the majority of who" instead of "the majority of which"?

No, "the majority of who" is incorrect when referring to things or concepts. Use "the majority of which" for non-human entities. "Who" should only be used when referring to people.

What is the difference between "the majority of which" and "most of which"?

"Most of which" is a more concise and slightly less formal alternative to "the majority of which". Both phrases indicate that a large portion of something is being referred to, but "the majority of which" can add a slightly more formal or emphatic tone.