vast majority of

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast majority of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are speaking about a large amount of something, usually accompanied by a percentage. For example: "The vast majority of people surveyed reported positive results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vast majority of U.A.E.

The New York Times

"The vast majority of patients will die.

The New York Times - Sports

The vast majority of Americans believe so.

The Economist

The vast majority of those are Buddhists.

The Economist

The vast majority of them are unfair".

The New York Times

The vast majority of victims were adults.

Independent

The vast majority of S.D.F.

The New Yorker

The vast majority of us.

The New Yorker

"The vast majority of people were cooperative".

The New York Times

"The vast, vast majority of them are..

The Guardian

The vast majority of Somalis lose out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider quantifying the "vast majority" with percentages or fractions to provide a clearer understanding of the proportion. For example, saying "The vast majority (85%) of customers were satisfied" adds precision.

Common error

Avoid using "vast majority of" when you lack supporting data or evidence. Overstating a claim can undermine your credibility. If you aren't sure, use more cautious language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast majority of" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, used to specify a large proportion of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase modifies a noun, indicating that the noun represents a substantial portion of a whole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

38%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast majority of" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to indicate a large proportion, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it conveys that a significant portion shares a characteristic or preference. While versatile, precision can be enhanced by quantifying the proportion with percentages or fractions. Be cautious not to overstate claims without supporting evidence. Alternatives such as "overwhelming majority of" or "significant number of" can add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming majority of

Emphasizes a stronger sense of dominance compared to "vast".

the great majority of

Similar in meaning, but slightly more formal than "vast majority of".

substantial proportion of

Focuses on the amount as a fraction of the whole, rather than sheer numbers.

significant number of

Highlights the quantity as notably large or important.

large segment of

Implies the group represents a considerable section of a population or entity.

preponderance of

Suggests a greater weight or influence due to quantity.

lion's share of

Indicates the largest portion, often in a competitive context.

greater part of

A simpler, more direct way of expressing a large portion.

bulk of

Emphasizes the main mass or volume of something.

most of

A common and widely understood synonym, but less emphatic than "vast majority".

FAQs

How can I use "vast majority of" in a sentence?

Use "vast majority of" to indicate that a large proportion of a group or thing shares a particular characteristic. For example, "The "vast majority of" survey respondents preferred the new design".

What can I say instead of "vast majority of"?

You can use alternatives like "overwhelming majority of", "substantial proportion of", or "significant number of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the vast majority is" or "the vast majority are"?

Generally, "the vast majority are" is more appropriate because "majority" refers to a collection of individuals or items. However, "the vast majority is" can be used if you're referring to the majority as a single, unified entity.

What's the difference between "vast majority of" and "large number of"?

"Vast majority of" implies a proportion relative to a whole, whereas "large number of" simply indicates a significant quantity without necessarily relating it to a total. For example, "A large number of people attended the concert" versus "The "vast majority of" attendees were under 30".