chiefly because of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly because of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary reason for something, emphasizing that it is the main factor among others. Example: "The event was canceled chiefly because of the severe weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chiefly because of tight regulation, America's cable systems are fragmented.

The Economist

The conclusion was such a disappointment chiefly because of what had happened earlier.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, Ukip's support dropped a bit, and the party came second chiefly because of Labour's fall.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ernest Hemingway's only play is of interest chiefly because of its source and its setting.

The Guardian

Did totalitarian ideas flourish in Europe chiefly because of the demonic genius of Hitler and Lenin?

The Economist

Central Falls, another city in Rhode Island, filed for bankruptcy last summer, chiefly because of pensions it could not afford.

The Economist

OTTAWA, May 30 - Canada's current-account surplus narrowed in the first quarter, chiefly because of increased imports, Statistics Canada reported.

The New York Times

He had direct experience of rescue operations but this situation was infinitely more complex, chiefly because of the location.

The Guardian

Indeed, the economy is stuck in "a low-growth trap", says the OECD, chiefly because of weak gains in efficiency.

The Economist

That was chiefly because of tougher visa rules, which the American government is now, belatedly, partially relaxing.

The Economist

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

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chiefly because of" to clearly highlight the main reason among several contributing factors. This helps to emphasize the primary cause in your explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly because of" when a simpler "because of" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex, especially when only one clear reason exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly because of" functions as a causal connector, linking a result or outcome to its primary cause. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in explaining phenomena, decisions, or conditions by highlighting the most significant factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly because of" serves as a causal connector, used to emphasize the primary reason or cause behind a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It is particularly common in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, conveying a neutral to formal tone. When using "chiefly because of", be sure to highlight the main contributing factor without making your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Alternatives like "primarily due to" or "mainly as a result of" can be used for variety. This phrase helps clarify and emphasize causal relationships in explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily due to

Emphasizes the cause as the main reason, similar to "chiefly because of" but with a slightly different structure.

mainly as a result of

Highlights the consequence of the cause, focusing on the outcome more than the direct reason.

largely attributable to

More formal, suggesting that something can be credited or blamed on a particular cause.

principally owing to

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, emphasizing debt or obligation to a cause.

mostly on account of

Indicates that something is primarily due to a specific reason or circumstance.

predominantly caused by

Emphasizes the causal relationship, highlighting that something is mainly caused by a specific factor.

fundamentally stemming from

Suggests that the cause is the root or origin of the result, indicating a deeper connection.

basically resulting from

Focuses on the outcome as a direct consequence of a fundamental cause.

essentially arising from

Implies that the cause is intrinsic and vital to the result.

significantly influenced by

Suggests that the cause had a major impact, but may not be the sole reason.

FAQs

How can I use "chiefly because of" in a sentence?

Use "chiefly because of" to indicate the main reason for something. For instance, "The event was successful "chiefly because of" the dedicated volunteers".

What can I say instead of "chiefly because of"?

Alternatives include "primarily due to", "mainly as a result of", or "largely attributable to" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "chiefly because of" or "mainly because of"?

"Chiefly because of" and "mainly because of" are relatively similar in formality. However, "chiefly because of" may come across as slightly more formal or emphatic.

What's the difference between "chiefly because of" and "partly because of"?

"Chiefly because of" indicates the main reason, while "partly because of" suggests that the reason is just one of several contributing factors.