and mostly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and mostly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily or largely the case, often in a context where you are describing the main characteristics or qualities of something. Example: "The project was successful, and mostly due to the team's hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And mostly, she didn't.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And mostly it wasn't exploitation".

The New York Times

And mostly doing it himself.

The New York Times

And, mostly, I do.

Harvard University

And, mostly, Mercedes delivers.

The New York Times

And mostly in Japanese.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And mostly in secret.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, mostly, without anaesthetics.

The Guardian - Books

And, mostly there's this.

The New York Times

It is 76 degrees and mostly cloudy.

The New York Times

Health care is distant and mostly unaffordable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and mostly" to add a qualification or explanation to a previous statement. It clarifies the primary aspect or condition being described. Be sure that the first clause is meaningful on its own if you remove the "and mostly" clause.

Common error

Avoid starting sentences with "and mostly". This phrase is a conjunction and works best when connecting related thoughts, not initiating a new idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and mostly" functions as a conjunctive adverb or conjunctive phrase, linking two related ideas or clauses. It adds a qualifying detail to a previous statement, emphasizing a primary aspect or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and mostly" is a versatile conjunction used to add qualifying information or emphasize a primary aspect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's best to avoid starting sentences with this phrase, it effectively connects related ideas by highlighting a main characteristic or condition. Consider alternatives like "and primarily" or "and mainly" for nuanced emphasis. Avoiding misuse, such as starting sentences with it, will enhance clarity and improve the overall quality of your writing. With a high expert rating and presence in authoritative sources, "and mostly" remains a reliable tool for expressing emphasis in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and primarily

Emphasizes the main aspect or reason, similar to "and mostly" but with a slightly stronger focus on the principal element.

and chiefly

Highlights the most important or influential factor, closely resembling the meaning of "and mostly".

and mainly

Indicates the principal component or action, similar to "and mostly" in suggesting a primary focus.

and largely

Suggests a significant portion or degree, aligning with the meaning of "and mostly" by emphasizing a substantial part.

and predominantly

Highlights the dominant or prevailing aspect, similar to "and mostly" but with a stronger emphasis on prevalence.

and generally

Indicates a common or widespread condition, similar to "and mostly" but broader in scope.

and for the most part

Expresses that something is true in the majority of cases, similar to "and mostly" but more explicitly stating the extent.

and above all

Highlights the most important element, differing from "and mostly" by emphasizing a hierarchical priority.

and to a great extent

Suggests a considerable degree or measure, sharing the idea of quantity or proportion with "and mostly".

and on the whole

Indicates a comprehensive view, similar to "and mostly" in suggesting a general assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "and mostly" in a sentence?

Use "and mostly" to add a qualifying detail or primary characteristic to a previous statement. For example, "The event was successful, and mostly because of the dedicated volunteers."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "and mostly"?

You can use alternatives like "and primarily", "and mainly", or "and largely" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and mostly"?

While grammatically not incorrect, starting a sentence with "and mostly" is generally discouraged. It functions best as a conjunction to connect related ideas within a single sentence. Consider rephrasing to incorporate it into the previous sentence for better flow.

What's the difference between "and mostly" and "but mostly"?

"And mostly" adds information or emphasizes a primary aspect related to a previous statement. "But mostly" introduces a contrast while still highlighting a primary aspect. For example, "The plan had flaws, but mostly it was well-received" shows a contrast, whereas "The plan was well-received, and mostly because it was thorough" adds further explanation.