Mainstay of the team

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Mainstay of the team" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is essential or a key support for a team or group. Example: "Her experience and leadership make her the mainstay of the team, ensuring that projects run smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Joe Launchbury, the Wasps lock, is a good candidate – he's young, athletic and could go on to be a great player and a mainstay of the team.

Independent

A mainstay of the team now, he made his full international debut in August 2013 and currently leads the Bulgarian top flight's assists charts.

The Guardian - Sport

There were seven players out there who were the mainstay of the team when we got promoted, and they've showed great spirit.

BBC

The 24-year-old joined Celtic from FC Ashdod in 2013, and has established himself as a mainstay of the team.

BBC

In the event, Warner rated Rhodes the "mainstay of the team", and Wisden observed that he proved critics wrong, establishing himself as the most effective bowler on the tour.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann, absolute mainstays of the team a year ago have departed the stage.

Independent

But two mainstays of the team over the past six years or so, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott, have gone, the latter after an ill-advised effort to convert him to an opener, and no one yet has staked a strong claim as permanent replacement.

The Guardian - Sport

Neil Roskilly, chief executive officer of the Independent Schools Association ISAA), points out that historically independent schools attracted men who could teach a subject and be "the mainstay of the cricket team".

The Guardian

Then Miss Wilkinson settled down to par golf on the back nine while Mrs. de Prado, mainstay of the French team, faltered.

The New York Times

The former Barnsley, Manchester City, Celtic, Lyon and Millwall centre-half was a mainstay of the Republic team who reached the last eight in 1990, when they were beaten by the host nation Italy.

The Guardian - Sport

But, West said, "Wilt had a great fadeaway shot, and he could shoot it over anybody". In college at the University of Kansas, while serving as the mainstay of the basketball team, he was also an outstanding track athlete.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainstay of the team" to highlight someone's consistent and critical contributions over time. It’s best suited for situations where reliability and long-term involvement are key.

Common error

Avoid using "mainstay of the team" in informal settings where simpler terms like "key player" or "important member" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainstay of the team" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a person or thing considered essential, reliable, and consistently supportive within a team context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainstay of the team" is a phrase used to describe someone or something essential and consistently reliable within a team. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it's relatively rare, appearing mostly in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "pillar of the team" or "backbone of the team" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality of the context, avoiding overuse in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pillar of the team

Emphasizes strength and support, similar to a foundational element.

Backbone of the team

Highlights the role of providing essential structural support.

Key player

Focuses on the importance of the individual's contribution.

Integral member

Stresses the necessary part the individual plays in the team's function.

Essential component

Highlights the importance of being a necessary part of the whole.

Cornerstone of the team

Implies a fundamental and indispensable element.

Go-to person

Suggests reliability and being the first choice for assistance.

Anchor of the team

Indicates stability and dependability.

Reliable asset

Focuses on the dependable quality and value.

Core member

Stresses centrality and significance within the group.

FAQs

How can I use "mainstay of the team" in a sentence?

You can use "mainstay of the team" to describe someone or something that is essential or a key support for a team or group. For example: "Her experience and leadership make her the mainstay of the team, ensuring that projects run smoothly."

What can I say instead of "mainstay of the team"?

You can use alternatives like "pillar of the team", "backbone of the team", or "key player" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "mainstay of the team" and "core member"?

"Mainstay of the team" emphasizes long-term reliability and essential support, while "core member" simply indicates someone central and significant to the group.

Is it correct to use "mainstay of the team" to describe an object or strategy?

Yes, while often used for people, "mainstay of the team" can also apply to objects or strategies that are crucial and consistently relied upon. For example, "Their robust data analysis became the mainstay of the team's decision-making process."