the majority were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the majority were' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you are talking about the greater part or number of a group or set of people. For example, "The majority of the students were in favor of lowering tuition fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The majority were rounded up or exterminated.

The New Yorker

The majority were second-generation Asian-Americans.

Cornell University

Two hundred years later, the majority were Muslims.

The New Yorker

The majority were sponsored by states — Syria, Libya, Iraq.

The New Yorker

The majority were willing, generous and trusting.

The Guardian - Arts

However, the majority were about Jewish jokes.

The Guardian

The majority were rounded up or exterminated….

The New Yorker

The majority were published by commercial organizations.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

The majority were dead when destroyed, they said.

The New York Times

The majority were the sons of middle-level government bureaucrats.

The New Yorker

(The majority were still in the corps de ballet).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the majority were", ensure that the context clearly defines the group or set you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "the majority were" when referring to a singular noun or concept. "Majority" implies a plural subject, so ensure the noun you're describing is also plural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the majority were" functions as a quantifier followed by a verb. It's used to indicate that a significant portion, more than half, of a specific group or population shared a particular characteristic or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the majority were" is a versatile phrase used to express that more than half of a group shares a particular characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating its broad acceptance in both formal and neutral registers. While alternatives like "most of them were" exist, "the majority were" offers a specific and clear way to convey proportional information. Remember to ensure clarity regarding the group being described and avoid using it with singular subjects. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most of them were

Replaces "the majority" with "most of them", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

the greater part were

Uses "greater part" instead of "majority", offering a slightly more formal tone.

most were

A more concise version, omitting "of them" for brevity.

a large number were

Substitutes "the majority" with "a large number", emphasizing quantity over proportion.

the bulk were

Uses "bulk" as a synonym for "majority", suggesting a substantial portion.

over half were

More specific, indicating that the proportion was greater than 50%.

a significant portion were

Emphasizes the significance of the portion rather than just the size.

a majority consisted of

Changes the structure to focus on what the majority was composed of.

for the most part, they were

Indicates a general trend or observation about the group.

primarily, they were

Shifts the focus to the primary characteristic of the group.

FAQs

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

Use "the majority were" to indicate that more than half of a defined group shared a particular characteristic or state, for example: "The majority were in favor of the proposal".

What are some alternatives to saying "the majority were"?

Alternatives include "most of them were", "a large number were", or "most were", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "the majority was"?

No, "the majority was" is generally considered incorrect. "Majority" refers to a plural group, therefore it should be followed by the plural verb "were". Using "the majority were" ensures grammatical accuracy.

What's the difference between "the majority were" and "most were"?

While both phrases indicate that a large portion of a group shares a characteristic, "the majority were" is slightly more formal and emphasizes that more than half of the group is being discussed. "Most were" is a more general and often interchangeable alternative.