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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with majority

The most common pattern is majority of for a larger part of a group. Other prepositions are used in specific contexts such as voting or political control.

Quick answer

Common combinations

Use majority of before a group: the majority of students. Use by a majority in voting contexts. Use majority in for political or regional contexts. With majority and for majority are uncommon and usually depend on a wider sentence.

The majority of voters supported the proposal.
The motion passed by a majority of ten votes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
majority of + group

Most members of a group

Use majority of before plural nouns or pronouns.

The majority of employees work remotely.
2
by a majority

Voting result

Use by a majority to show the margin in a vote.

The bill was approved by a majority.
3
majority in + place/body

Political or organisational control

Use majority in with organisations, regions, or assemblies.

The party holds a majority in parliament.
4
majority for + candidate

Votes received by someone

In election contexts, for can refer to support given to a candidate or option.

There was a strong majority for the proposal in the final vote.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
majority of
The majority of residents agreed.
most members of a group
by a majority
The measure passed by a majority of six.
shows voting margin
majority in
They have a majority in the senate.
control within a body
majority with
The company operates with a majority shareholder.
with is linked to shareholder, not selected by majority
majority for
There was a clear majority for change.
support for an option or candidate

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Omitting of after majority

Majority usually needs of before a specific group.

✕ The majority students agreed. ✓ The majority of students agreed.

Using by majority without an article

Use by a majority in standard English.

✕ The motion passed by majority. ✓ The motion passed by a majority.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The majority ___ voters supported the law.
2. The proposal passed ___ a majority.
3. The party has a majority ___ parliament.

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Frequently asked questions

Can majority be followed by a singular verb?

Yes. Both singular and plural verbs are possible depending on whether the group is treated as a unit or as individuals.

Is majority for common outside elections?

It is mainly used in voting or opinion contexts.

Does majority with exist?

Not as a standard fixed combination. With usually belongs to another noun in the sentence, such as shareholder.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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