a mainstay

USAGE SUMMARY

"a mainstay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as a pillar or an essential element in a system or organization. For example, “The safety of passengers is a mainstay of the airline industry.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Orville was a mainstay.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Landon Donovan, a mainstay, will also play.

The New York Times

Reddick became a mainstay for Oakland.

The New Yorker

The show was a mainstay.

The New York Times

Television commercials are a mainstay, but expensive.

The New York Times

Justin Tuck, the team captain, is a mainstay.

The New York Times - Sports

That was a bit of a mainstay.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's a mainstay of my record collection.

The Guardian - Music

Cuddles the monkey was a mainstay.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tourism is a mainstay of Madagascar's economy.

The New York Times

The book became a mainstay of Basic Books.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a mainstay," ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is a mainstay of. This provides essential context and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

While appropriate in formal writing, avoid using "a mainstay" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "essential" or "key part" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mainstay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness, underlining its role in identifying something of fundamental importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mainstay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes something essential and reliable. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, and its prevalence across various sources, particularly in news and media, underscores its importance in formal communication. When considering alternatives, it's crucial to maintain the context of emphasizing long-standing significance. While generally appropriate, avoid using "a mainstay" in extremely informal settings to preserve a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential element

Focuses on the indispensable nature of something, emphasizing its role as a necessary component.

a key component

Highlights the importance of something as one of the main parts of a larger system.

a fundamental aspect

Emphasizes the basic and foundational role of something.

a central figure

Indicates someone of significant importance.

a core principle

Highlights that something is a basic belief, theory, or rule that has a major influence on the way in which something is done.

a critical factor

Highlights that something is the reason why something else, especially something bad, happens.

a vital part

Shows the indispensable character of something.

a go-to resource

Suggests a reliable and frequently used source of information or assistance.

a reliable resource

Focuses on the dependability of something, emphasizing that it works well.

a time-honored tradition

Highlights the customary act with the sense of respect.

FAQs

How can I use "a mainstay" in a sentence?

You can use "a mainstay" to describe something essential or fundamental to a particular activity, organization, or system. For example, "Customer service is "a mainstay" of our business."

What are some alternatives to using "a mainstay"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an essential element", "a key component", or "a fundamental aspect".

Is "a mainstay" formal or informal?

"A mainstay" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for professional, academic, or journalistic writing. It might sound out of place in very casual conversations.

What does "a mainstay" exactly mean?

"A mainstay" refers to something or someone that is essential, reliable, and has been around for a long time, serving as a key element or support. It implies a sense of stability and importance.