but chiefly because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but chiefly because" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the primary reason for something, often following a list of reasons or explanations. Example: "She chose to pursue a career in medicine, but chiefly because she wanted to help others in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It has diversified into other areas, such as videoconferencing, but chiefly because it thought this would increase demand for routers.

The Economist

But, chiefly because of the high cost of operating in the Arctic, their development has been slow.

The Economist

Courts did rule against a composer, but chiefly because they concluded he actually lived primarily in Scotland.

The New York Times

It's a new problem for the English, partly because of globalisation but chiefly because of devolution and the end of empire.

The Guardian - Books

At one extreme, the "swot" works incredibly hard, often because of parental pressures, but chiefly because they regard exams as a convenient measure of self-worth.

The Guardian

For Helen Mackay, a cheery 23-year-old from Thurso, it took three years as well, but chiefly because she wanted to stay in Scotland.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But chiefly, perhaps, because the vociferous German Greens have been a political force in Germany for the past couple of decades, whereas the still-fragmented French ones are relative newcomers in France a country with little tradition of pacifism, nuclear protest or respect for the environment.Now the French Greens have begun to demand more.

The Economist

And it was, but not chiefly because of the strange speculations about Moses' identity that worried Yahuda and scandalized the book's first readers.

The New York Times - Magazine

In late March, Mr. Basuki announced the temporary suspension of the three-in-one policy, running a week from last Tuesday, amid questions about its effectiveness — but chiefly, he said, because it was contributing to the exploitation of children.

The New York Times

But that is chiefly because these days few dare voice such a thing out loud.

The Guardian - Books

An MI5 leak played its part, of course, but this was chiefly because, in the words of the Daily Telegraph, Bingham was "the man who inspired George Smiley".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but chiefly because" to clearly signal the most important reason when presenting multiple contributing factors, ensuring the primary cause is not overshadowed by less significant details.

Common error

Avoid using "but chiefly because" excessively in casual writing or conversations, as its formal tone can sound unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mainly because" or "mostly because" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but chiefly because" functions as a conjunctional phrase that connects two clauses, emphasizing the primary reason for the statement in the second clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to highlight the most significant cause among multiple possible factors. This is evident in the examples provided, where the phrase is used to pinpoint the main reason behind a particular event or decision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but chiefly because" is a conjunctional phrase used to emphasize the primary reason for a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to highlight the main cause among several contributing factors. It is commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the most significant factor and aligns with the overall formality of your text. For less formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "mainly because". The phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but primarily because

Emphasizes the main reason, similar to "but chiefly because" but with a slightly more formal tone.

but above all because

Stresses the preeminence of one reason over others.

but mainly due to

Focuses on the cause, replacing "because" with "due to" for a slightly different emphasis.

but essentially because

Indicates the fundamental or core reason behind something.

but largely as a result of

Highlights the outcome or consequence, altering the sentence structure to emphasize the effect.

but fundamentally because

Similar to "essentially because", highlighting the basic and underlying reason.

but mostly on account of

Introduces a reason with a slightly less common phrasing, suitable for varied expression.

but critically because

Highlights that the reason is of utmost importance or has significant impact.

however, the main reason being

Uses "however" to contrast with previous information, then states the principal reason.

yet the key factor was

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint with "yet", emphasizing the pivotal factor.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but chiefly because" in a sentence?

Use "but chiefly because" to introduce the primary reason or cause after mentioning other contributing factors. For example, "The project was delayed, partly due to funding issues, but "chiefly because" of unforeseen technical challenges."

What are some alternatives to "but chiefly because" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "but primarily because", "but mainly due to", or "but above all because" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is "but chiefly because" more formal than other similar phrases?

Yes, "but chiefly because" tends to be more formal than phrases like "but mostly because" or "but mainly because". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between these options.

Can "but chiefly because" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "but chiefly because" is less common. It's generally better to use it to connect clauses within a sentence for smoother flow and readability.