Why is that?

Hi,

Can you tell me why he/she would use the phrase "a majority of" in the first sentence and the phrase "the majority of" in the second? If you feel kinded, can you explain in detail about differences in usage between the two?

In a recent opinion poll, a majority of respondents were against nuclear weapons.

In the past, the majority of women were consigned to a lifetime of servitude and poverty.    

Also, can you say "feel kinded"? If not, what phrase would you use to say basically the same thing?

Hi,

Can you tell me why he/she would use the phrase "a majority of" in the first sentence and the phrase "the majority of" in the second? If you feel kinded, can you explain in detail about differences in usage between the two?

In a recent opinion poll, a majority of respondents were against nuclear weapons.

In the past, the majority of women were consigned to a lifetime of servitude and poverty.    

In such phrases, you'll find either artcile is often used, with no or very little difference in meaning.

If I really had to try to justify the articles used in these examples, I'd say this. 'The' in #2 seems good because there is only one 'majority of women'. It seems like a specific reference. In #1, on the other hand, there are many opinion polls with many different kinds of respondents, so it seems like a more general reference.

Best wishes, Clive