chiefly are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly are" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a primary characteristic or quality of something, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "The species chiefly are found in tropical regions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The regional clans — Populzai, Alokazai, and Barakzai, chiefly — are involved in an age-old competition for power and patronage, and there have been many times in history when their rivalries have played out bloodily, as they do today.

The New Yorker

In other words, too many people – in London, chiefly – are getting very excited about devolution in the abstract, without taking account of the often impossible predicaments faced by the people who are running our cities, boroughs and counties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their 41-year-old daughter, they tell me, is trapped in that uncertain place in which part-time work is rendered impossible by the costs of childcare, so some of their benefits – the winter fuel allowance, chiefly – are used to help her and her kids.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He replied: What concerns him chiefly is what Mrs Duffy feels.

The Guardian

It is for these achievements that Hall will chiefly be celebrated.

The Guardian - Books

But, in the end, he may chiefly be remembered for bluff, bluster and controversy.

The Economist

Outside of its vibrant but tiny DIY underground, this has chiefly been a city of consumption, not creativity.

The Guardian - Travel

But, chiefly, being leveraged against shady fixed income products.

Forbes

This ability has chiefly been linked to its role as a core component of dynamic structures termed PML Nuclear Bodies (PML-NBs).

FEBS Letters

Public interest is high in the net neutrality proceeding for which the electronic comment filing system (ECFS) has chiefly been used over the last few months.

TechCrunch

The potential for sensing and engaging with the world has chiefly been replaced by a passive reality that delivers a particular reality set to us -- the "consumers".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "chiefly are" with alternatives like "primarily are" or "mainly are" for improved grammatical correctness and reader comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly are" in formal writing. While it may occasionally appear in certain contexts, it is not considered standard English and can detract from your message's clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly are" functions as an attempt to specify the primary characteristic or state of something. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and requires rephrasing for grammatical accuracy and clarity. It's an awkward construction and may not be easily understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chiefly are" presents a grammatical challenge, often resulting in awkward or unclear sentences. Ludwig AI highlights that it is not a standard construction in English. While the intent is generally to emphasize a primary attribute, it's better replaced with phrases like "primarily are" or "mainly are". Given its uncommon usage and potential for misinterpretation, avoiding "chiefly are" in formal writing contexts is advisable. Proper alternatives ensure clarity and maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are primarily

Replaces "chiefly" with "primarily", providing a more standard and grammatically correct way to indicate the main characteristic.

are mainly

Substitutes "chiefly" with "mainly", offering a similar meaning with improved clarity and grammatical acceptance.

are mostly

Uses "mostly" instead of "chiefly", resulting in a more common and easily understood phrase.

are largely

Replaces "chiefly" with "largely", which conveys the idea of something being predominantly true.

are predominantly

Uses "predominantly" instead of "chiefly", indicating that something is mainly or most commonly something else.

are principally

Replaces "chiefly" with "principally", providing a more formal way to denote the main aspect.

are primarily characterized by

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that something is mainly characterized by certain features.

are mainly composed of

Specifies that something is mainly made up of certain components.

are primarily responsible for

Highlights that something is mainly accountable for a specific outcome or action.

are mostly known for

Emphasizes that something is mainly recognized or famous for particular attributes or qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "chiefly" correctly in a sentence?

Use "chiefly" to modify a verb, adjective, or adverb, rather than directly preceding "are". For example, "They are "chiefly concerned" with agriculture" is preferable to "They chiefly are concerned with agriculture".

What's a better alternative to "chiefly are"?

Instead of "chiefly are", consider using phrases like "primarily are", "mainly are", or "mostly are" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "chiefly are" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "chiefly are" is an uncommon construction that may sound awkward to many English speakers. It's generally better to rephrase the sentence for clarity and correctness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "chiefly are" is grammatically questionable.

When is it appropriate to use "chiefly are"?

Due to its uncommon usage and potential for misinterpretation, it's best to avoid "chiefly are" in formal or professional writing. Opt for clearer alternatives to ensure your message is accurately conveyed. In contexts such as news and science, consider rewording sentences containing "chiefly are".