the overwhelming majority

USAGE SUMMARY

"the overwhelming majority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is much larger in number or amount than other parts or components. For example, "The overwhelming majority of students in this university come from out of state."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The overwhelming majority of Omanis are Muslims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The overwhelming majority are ethnic Albanians.

The Economist

The overwhelming majority of them were civilians.

Independent

The overwhelming majority do not succeed.

The New Yorker

The overwhelming majority were wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

The overwhelming majority acquiesced to the unspeakable.

The New York Times

"The overwhelming majority of Iraqis are grateful.

The New York Times

But the overwhelming majority of nations will.

The Guardian - Opinion

The overwhelming majority opposes a ban.

The Guardian - Books

The overwhelming majority came from Central America.

The New York Times

The overwhelming majority of Jo'burgers are carless.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the overwhelming majority" to emphasize a significant disparity, enhancing the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "the overwhelming majority" when the proportion is only slightly above half. Ensure it truly represents a significantly larger portion for accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the overwhelming majority" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a very large proportion or number of individuals or items is being referenced. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the overwhelming majority" is a phrase used to denote a significantly large proportion of a group or population. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and scientific domains. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the referenced group and that the proportion truly represents a significant majority. Alternatives like "the vast majority" or "most people" can be used to add nuance. Avoid exaggeration to maintain accuracy and credibility. This phrase is widely accepted and effective for emphasizing numerical dominance in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the vast majority

Emphasizes the largeness of the proportion.

the great majority

Highlights the significance in numbers.

almost all

Highlights nearness to totality.

most people

Simplifies the phrasing to focus on individuals.

the bulk

Focuses on the quantity or mass of something.

the predominant part

Stresses prevalence or dominance.

the preponderance

Indicates a dominance or superiority in number or influence.

the major portion

Highlights the more important part in the overall total.

a large segment

Refers to a notable portion of a group or population.

the lion's share

Implies that the largest portion is significantly bigger than others.

FAQs

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

You can use "the overwhelming majority" to indicate that a significantly large part of a group shares a certain characteristic or opinion. For example, "The overwhelming majority of students supported the proposal."

What are some alternatives to "the overwhelming majority"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the vast majority", "the great majority", or "most people", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "the overwhelming majority" in formal writing?

Yes, "the overwhelming majority" is suitable for formal writing as it is a clear and precise way to convey that a large proportion of a group shares a characteristic or opinion.

What's the difference between "the majority" and "the overwhelming majority"?

"The majority" simply means more than half, while "the overwhelming majority" indicates a much larger and more significant proportion, suggesting almost all or nearly all.