are mostly to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are mostly to do" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express that something primarily involves certain activities or tasks, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The challenges we face are mostly to do with resource allocation and time management."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

The Guardian - Books

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I think bad holidays are mostly to do with people, whereas good ones are more to do with the circumstances.

Independent

He admits (five times, as meticulously recorded in the index) to "anorak" tendencies: his strongest passions are mostly to do with constitutional, administrative and electoral arrangements.

The Guardian - Books

By contrast, the Republicans refused to tighten the Corporate Average Fuel Economy law, which dictates the fuel efficiency of new vehicles.The few improvements are mostly to do with the electricity sector.

The Economist

Berlusconi's problems on the domestic stage are mostly to do with rifts in his own governing coalition – mainly with his deputy, Gianfranco Fini (the third power in the state, after President Napolitano and Berlusconi).

The Guardian - Opinion

The variations in Labour's lead recorded in recent opinion polls are mostly to do with how the non-Conservative two-thirds of the country is saying it will divide its favours, with the highest Labour leads being generated by unrealistically low levels of Lib Dem support.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's mostly to do with Ralph.

The Guardian - Books

Choosing it to be at 6.30pm was mostly to do with trying to reach as many people as possible.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A REMARKABLE recent improvement in the way China's murky politics is conducted is mostly to do with the succession process at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party.

The Economist

The reason for this is mostly to do with the internal politics of the broader Liberal movement and only a little to do with ideology.

The Guardian - Opinion

He wrote: "Before, such ideas were mostly to do with so-called government communications (how to make them independent from western technologies).

The Guardian

They were perhaps a little behind America in the past, but that's mostly to do with the fact that we pull from a population that is so much bigger — it's a numbers thing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, prefer clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "are mainly about" or "are primarily related to" instead of the phrase "are mostly to do".

Common error

Using "are mostly to do" can make your writing sound unnatural. Instead, use a more direct expression such as "mainly involve" or "primarily concern" to improve clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are mostly to do" functions as a connector, indicating the primary focus or involvement in something. However, as Ludwig AI notes, it's not standard English and clearer alternatives are preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

The Guardian - Books

20%

The Economist

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "are mostly to do" is used to indicate primary involvement or focus, it's considered grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English, and more precise alternatives like "are mainly about" or "are primarily related to" are recommended. Although the phrase appears in news and media sources, it's best to avoid it in formal or scientific writing. Using clearer and more direct language enhances readability and avoids awkward phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are primarily concerned with

This alternative emphasizes the main focus or subject matter, providing a slightly more formal tone.

mainly involve

This option highlights the key activities or elements that are included.

are largely related to

Focuses on the connection or association between the subject and other factors.

are chiefly associated with

This emphasizes the primary connection or link to a particular thing or concept.

are fundamentally about

Emphasizes the core or essential nature of the subject.

revolve primarily around

Indicates that the subject is centered or dependent on certain elements.

are essentially connected to

Highlights the intrinsic link or relationship between the items.

deal predominantly with

Specifies that the main emphasis is on handling or addressing particular issues.

are significantly involved in

Indicates a notable degree of participation or inclusion.

pertain mainly to

Suggests that the subject has a direct and relevant connection to specific matters.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "are mostly to do"?

You can use alternatives like "are primarily concerned with", "mainly involve", or "are largely related to" depending on the context.

Is "are mostly to do" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "are mostly to do" is not considered standard English. It's better to use clearer phrases like "are mainly about" or "are primarily related to".

When should I use "are mostly to do"?

It's generally advisable to avoid "are mostly to do" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and commonly accepted alternatives such as "are chiefly associated with" or "are fundamentally about".

What's the difference between "are mostly to do" and "are mainly about"?

"Are mainly about" is a more direct and grammatically correct way to express that something primarily concerns a specific topic or activity, unlike "are mostly to do" which sounds awkward and less precise. Consider using "are largely related to".