What part of speech is “major”
Noun
Definition:
as a noun, 'major' can refer to a military rank or an academic specialization.
Rules:
in the context of academia, it refers to one's primary field of study. In a military context, it refers to a rank above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Examples:
Her major in college was biology.
The major gave the orders to his troops.
Choosing a major can be a challenging decision for many students.
Tips:
remember that 'major' in an academic context doesn't always mean it's the most important; it's just the primary focus of study.
Adjective
Definition:
as an adjective, 'major' describes something of greater importance, seriousness, or significance.
Rules:
it can be used to describe events, decisions, incidents, subjects, etc., that have a significant impact or role.
Examples:
The company faced a major setback this quarter.
Climate change is a major concern for many scientists.
She played a major role in the project's success.
Tips:
don't confuse 'major' with 'majored.' The latter refers to specializing in a particular academic subject.
Verb
Definition:
as a verb, 'major' means to pursue an academic subject as one's primary field of study.
Examples:
She decided to major in psychology.
Many students at that college major in engineering.
I'm not sure what I want to major in yet.
Tips:
the verb 'major' is specific to academic contexts. Don't use it in non-academic settings expecting the same meaning.