Largely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Largely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is mostly true or applicable, but not entirely so. Example: "The project was largely successful, despite a few minor setbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I expected that some would object to my participation in an annual forum that is largely comprised of softball questions to a leader unaccustomed to being challenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're largely dependent on whistleblowers – normally disillusioned chuggers – to enlighten us, as in last year's investigation by Dispatches.

The Guardian - Opinion

The brewery closed in 1988 and was largely demolished.

The Guardian - Travel

Verbal and written feedback from patients has been largely very positive and measures of depression and anxiety on average show a significant reduction following the course.

The Guardian

Method: Attempts to tackle the resulting problem of soil fertility have largely flopped so far.

The Guardian

Instead it's a land inhabited by continental-style bars and cafes, with a cuisine that's largely Asian, Mediterranean or Japanese and a decor dictated by Ikea-chic.

The Guardian - Film

But while rural dwellers in particular chafe at restrictions and heavy-handed enforcement – which has included forced abortions – many in cities are used to the policy and seem largely indifferent, or like the idea of increasing their families but worry about the financial impact.

The Guardian

There's the opportunity to take a ferry to spy some of the largely inaccessible mountains that sit next to the take, or you can go for a paddle yourself.

The Guardian - Travel

As part of the R2 project we created a variety of templates which could be switched in largely at will.

The Guardian

Because the money is a one-off and must be spent immediately, councils will use it largely to buy in extra services such as care agency support for people in their own homes and short-term places in residential homes.

The Guardian

So far, the RBA has generally erred on the side of fighting rising house prices first, leaving the sluggish economy and worryingly high level of unemployment largely to run its course.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context makes clear what the "large" portion refers to. For instance, "The success was largely due to marketing" implies marketing contributed more than other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "largely" when something is almost entirely the case. Instead of saying "The room was largely empty", if it was almost completely empty, use "almost entirely" or "nearly completely" empty.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "largely" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the extent or degree to which something is true or applicable. It serves as a qualifier, suggesting a substantial but not absolute measure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "largely" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term to indicate that something is mainly or mostly the case. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Its usage spans diverse contexts, particularly within news and media. To prevent misinterpretations, avoid using "largely" when describing situations that are almost entirely true; alternatives such as "almost entirely" might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mostly

Indicates the greater part or proportion; often interchangeable but may imply a slightly higher degree than "largely".

Mainly

Highlights the principal element or factor, suggesting a focus on the most important aspect.

Primarily

Emphasizes the fundamental or initial aspect, suggesting a foundational role.

Predominantly

Stresses the prevailing or dominant nature, implying a clear majority or influence.

For the most part

A more verbose alternative that conveys a similar meaning, emphasizing the overall trend or pattern.

In general

Implies a broad overview, suggesting a common or typical state of affairs.

On the whole

Similar to 'in general' but often used to summarize or conclude a discussion.

Substantially

Indicates a significant degree or amount, often used in more formal contexts.

Considerably

Implies a noticeable or appreciable extent, suggesting a measurable impact.

Chiefly

Highlights the principal reason or cause, emphasizing the primary driver or motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "largely" in a sentence?

"Largely" is typically used to indicate that something is mainly or mostly true, but not entirely. For instance, "The project was "largely successful", despite minor setbacks."

What can I say instead of "largely"?

You can use alternatives like "mostly", "mainly", or "primarily" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "largely because of"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "largely because of" indicates that something is mainly due to a particular reason. For example, "The increase in sales was largely because of the new marketing campaign."

What's the difference between "largely" and "partially"?

"Largely" indicates that something is mostly or mainly the case, whereas "partially" suggests that something is only partly true or complete. "Largely" implies a greater extent than "partially".