How to Use “Majority” Correctly?
Posted by Issa and Published on Apr 14, 2012
Majority is a noun that can be either singular or plural. Use a plural verb after ’majority’ when you mean a collection of individuals; use a singular verb after ‘majority’ when you refer to it as a group.
Here are some examples:
Majority as Singular
- In the trial of all capital offences a majority of the court, at least, is required to be present.
- Any majority holds to the right of direct State interference at State discretion.
- A majority of the people elects the House of Representatives, but it does not elect the Senate.
Majority as Plural
- The vast majority of prostitutes have been driven to that terrible fate by economic causes outside their control.
- That a great majority of her people are opposed to the tariff laws, is doubtless true.
- A great majority of the people are satisfied with the bank as it is, and desirous that it should be continued.
Remember that majority should only be used to refer to a number of things or people (i.e. countable nouns), but not to an amount (i.e. uncountable nouns). Examine these sentences:
- Incorrect: Vicky ate majority of the cake I bought for Ana.
- Correct: Vicky ate most of the cake I bought for Ana.