- Have you ever wondered whether to say “the big majority” or “the vast majority”?
- Are you confused about whether “the majority” should be followed by a singular or plural verb?
- Do you want to sound more professional and precise when discussing data, elections, or group opinions?
Mastering Majority Collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, words don’t just exist in isolation; they “hang out” with specific partners. Using the right combinations makes your English sound natural to native speakers, reduces your mental translation time, and ensures your message is clear in both academic and professional settings.
Essential Collocations using MAJORITY as a Noun
In modern English, “majority” functions almost exclusively as a noun. It refers to a number or percentage that is more than half of a total. Understanding which adjectives and verbs pair with it will help you describe quantities with high precision.
Adjectives to Describe the Size of a Majority
These adjectives help you specify exactly how much larger one group is than the other.
- Vast majority: Used to describe a very large percentage (usually 80-90%+).
Example: The vast majority of our employees prefer the new remote work policy. - Overwhelming majority: Used when the difference is so large it cannot be ignored.
Example: An overwhelming majority of the board voted in favor of the merger. - Slim / Narrow majority: Used when the winning side only has a few more votes or people.
Example: The bill passed with a narrow majority of only three votes. - Significant majority: Used to show that the number is important or meaningful.
Example: A significant majority of users reported an improvement in site speed. - Clear majority: Used when the result is obvious and undisputed.
Example: There is a clear majority in favor of reform.
Verbs used with Majority
These verbs describe the action of obtaining or maintaining a majority.
- Win a majority: To gain more than half the votes in an election.
Example: The Labour party managed to win a majority in the local elections. - Command a majority: To have control over a group because you have the most votes.
Example: The current government commands a majority in parliament. - Hold a majority: To possess the larger share of something.
Example: Women now hold a majority of managerial positions in the company. - Form a majority: To combine groups to create a total of more than half.
Example: Several small parties joined forces to form a majority coalition.
Prepositional Collocations
How “majority” connects to other parts of a sentence.
- The majority of: The most common way to link the word to a group.
Example: The majority of the students passed the exam. - In the majority: To be part of the larger group.
Example: Those who support the tax increase are currently in the majority.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Vast majority | Adjective + Noun | A very large percentage. |
| Narrow majority | Adjective + Noun | Winning by only a small margin. |
| Win a majority | Verb + Noun | To gain more than 50% of the total. |
| In the majority | Preposition + Noun | Belonging to the larger group. |
| The majority of… | Noun + Preposition | Most of (a specific group). |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid direct translations from your native language by using these natural English pairings.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| The big majority of people… | The vast majority of people… |
| The most of students… | The majority of students… |
| He won by a small majority. | He won by a narrow majority. |
| The majority is agree. | The majority agree (or) are in agreement. |
Contextual Story
In the recent annual general meeting, the CEO was worried about the new budget proposal. However, after the votes were counted, it became clear that the vast majority of shareholders were supportive. Although a small group of investors held out, the board managed to win a majority for the expansion plan. Currently, those who believe the company should move into AI are in the majority, which allows the leadership to command a majority when making future strategic decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Majority Collocations
Is “the majority” singular or plural?
It depends on what follows it. If you say “The majority of the population IS” (referring to a singular mass), it is singular. However, it is much more common to use it with plural nouns: “The majority of people ARE.” In British English, “The majority are” is standard even without the “of” phrase.
What is the difference between “most” and “the majority of”?
“Most” is more informal and general. “The majority of” is more formal and often implies a statistical or countable context, such as in elections or research data.
Can I say “a small majority”?
<pWhile technically correct, "narrow majority" or "slim majority" is much more common and sounds more natural to native speakers.
Which preposition should I use after “majority”?
The most common preposition is “of” (the majority of people). If you are describing someone’s status within a group, use “in” (they are in the majority).
Can “majority” be used as a verb?
No, “majority” is strictly a noun in modern English. To express the action, you must use verbs like “win,” “hold,” or “form” a majority.
Great article! Just to confirm, when we're talking about a group that is *exactly* 50%, we wouldn't use 'majority' at all, right? It always has to be *more* than half?
You are absolutely correct, Patrick! By definition, a 'majority' must be *more than half*. If it's exactly 50%, it's often referred to as a 'tie' or 'split,' or sometimes 'equal halves.' If it's less than 50%, it's a 'minority.' Precision in these definitions is key to clear communication!
Are there any informal or slang ways to express a 'vast majority'? Or is 'majority' generally a more formal concept?
That's an insightful question, Anya! While 'majority' itself is quite a standard, somewhat formal term, you can find informal ways to express a 'vast majority' by using phrases like 'almost everyone,' 'pretty much everybody,' or 'the vast bulk (of something).' For example, instead of 'The vast majority of people loved the movie,' you might say 'Pretty much everyone loved the movie.' However, these lack the precise statistical nuance of 'majority' collocations. 'Majority' itself is generally used across registers, but its strong collocations like 'vast' or 'overwhelming' often lean towards more formal contexts.
Thank you for addressing the singular/plural verb confusion! It's been a long-standing headache for me. Your explanation clarifies that it depends on whether the focus is on the group as a whole or the individual members.
We're so glad we could clear up that headache for you, Julian! It's a very common point of confusion, even for advanced learners. Remembering to consider whether you're emphasizing the collective unit or the individual components will greatly improve your accuracy. Keep practicing, and it will become second nature!
I sometimes confuse 'majority' with 'bulk.' Are there situations where they are interchangeable, or do they have distinct meanings and collocations? Love the clarity of this post!
That's a great point of comparison, Sofia! While both 'majority' and 'bulk' refer to a larger portion, they are generally not interchangeable. 'Majority' specifically refers to *more than half* of a *number or group* (e.g., majority of votes, majority of people). 'Bulk' refers to the *largest part or mass of something*, often related to physical volume or quantity (e.g., the bulk of the cargo, the bulk of the work). You wouldn't usually say 'the bulk of people prefer,' but rather 'the majority of people prefer.' They have distinct uses and collocations.
What about 'simple majority' or 'absolute majority'? Are these also common collocations with 'majority' when discussing elections or voting, or are they a bit more niche?
Excellent question, Kenji! Both 'simple majority' and 'absolute majority' are indeed very common and crucial collocations, especially in political, legal, and formal settings. A 'simple majority' means more than 50% of those *who voted*. An 'absolute majority' means more than 50% of *all possible votes or members*, regardless of whether they voted. They're not niche at all; they're essential for precise communication about voting thresholds and outcomes. Thanks for bringing them up!
This is fantastic for anyone writing academic papers or reports. The precision makes a huge difference. I used to just say 'most people,' which is vague.
You've hit the nail on the head, Chloe! Precision is paramount in academic and professional writing. While 'most people' is fine in informal conversation, mastering these collocations with 'majority' elevates your discourse, making your arguments more credible and your data descriptions more accurate. Keep using them to enhance your clarity!
I find these collocations tricky! The example 'The vast majority of our employees prefer the new remote work policy' is super clear. Could you give another example of 'overwhelming majority' in a slightly different context, maybe political?
Absolutely, Omar! It's great that you're seeking more context. For 'overwhelming majority' in a political setting, you could say: 'The referendum passed with an overwhelming majority, indicating strong public support for the new policy.' This implies not just a large win, but one where the opposition had very little chance, reflecting a strong consensus. Keep identifying those clear examples!
This is great! Are there any other strong adjectives like 'overwhelming' or 'vast' that are common? I'm trying to expand my vocabulary beyond just 'big' or 'most.'
That's a fantastic goal, Isabella! Beyond 'vast' and 'overwhelming,' some other strong adjectives you might hear with 'majority' include: 'considerable majority' (implies a large and significant number), 'substantial majority' (similar to considerable, emphasizing size), and 'sizable majority' (also means large). For more formal or statistical contexts, you might even encounter 'absolute majority' or 'qualified majority,' which refer to specific thresholds. Keep practicing them to make them feel natural!
So, if I say 'An overwhelming majority of students were happy,' is 'were' correct because 'students' is plural, even though 'majority' is singular? Or should it be 'was'?
That's an excellent follow-up question, Wei! In your example, 'An overwhelming majority of students *were* happy' is indeed correct and commonly preferred, especially in American English. When 'majority' is followed by 'of + plural noun' (like 'of students'), the verb usually agrees with the plural noun 'students' because the focus is on the individual members of that group. While 'was' might occasionally be heard (especially in British English if viewing 'majority' as a singular collective unit), 'were' sounds more natural and clearer in this context because the happiness applies to the individual students.
Thank you, Translateen! I was just preparing a presentation for work and needed to phrase something about team preferences. 'The vast majority' sounds so much more professional than what I was going to use. Lifesaver!
We're so happy we could help, Elena! That's exactly why we create these articles – to empower you with the precise and professional language you need for real-world situations. Using specific collocations like 'vast majority' truly elevates your communication, especially in academic and professional contexts. Good luck with your presentation!