chiefly but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly but" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily or mainly true, but there are exceptions or additional considerations. Example: "The project was chiefly but not exclusively focused on renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

What allows the detectives to penetrate these schemes is not their intelligence, chiefly, but their autonomy.

The New York Times - Books

Florus compiled a brief sketch of the history of Rome from its founding to the time of Augustus, based chiefly but not solely on Livy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"[W]hat I saw in M. Becquerel's laboratory and heard from him and Monsieur and Madame Curie, gave me the impression of some peculiar state proper chiefly (but not exclusively, just as magnetism is chiefly, but not exclusively, the property of iron and cobalt) to uranum and the thorium compounds.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Chiefly but not only because of last autumn's non-election fiasco, Mr Brown has begun to appear perilously indecisive and he knows it.It is plain that he knows it because countering that perception is Mr Brown's priority for 2008.

The Economist

The writers – chiefly but not only female – were demanding that women have a voice in the stories' disclosures, and they are still putting new wine in old bottles, in Carter's phrase, to watch them explode.

The Guardian - Books

Cargo cult, any of the religious movements chiefly, but not solely, in Melanesia that exhibit belief in the imminence of a new age of blessing, to be initiated by the arrival of a special "cargo" of goods from supernatural sources based on the observation by local residents of the delivery of supplies to colonial officials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Millets are chiefly pastels, but dozens of oils also.

Harvard University

Electricity comes largely from renewable sources already — chiefly hydropower, but also wind, solar and geothermal energy.

The New York Times

Chameleons are chiefly African, but one species is found in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Encyclopedia Britannica

NEW DELHI — The protesters were chiefly women, but instead of placards, they brought empty pots.

The New York Times

Alberti's weapons were chiefly words, but he also acquired a practical understanding of the arts.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chiefly but" to introduce a primary characteristic or reason, immediately followed by a qualifier that acknowledges exceptions or secondary factors. This allows for a nuanced and accurate representation of information.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly but" without providing the contrasting information. Omitting the "but" clause creates ambiguity, leaving the reader to wonder about the exceptions or secondary factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly but" functions as an adverbial conjunction, modifying a statement by indicating that it is primarily true, while also acknowledging exceptions or additional factors. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in introducing a main point followed by a contrasting element.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Chiefly but" is a valuable conjunction phrase for conveying that something is primarily the case, while acknowledging exceptions or other contributing factors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the qualifier introduced by "but" is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "primarily yet" or "mainly however" can offer similar nuance, while the choice of phrase will ultimately depend on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily but not exclusively

Expands on the idea of "chiefly" to explicitly include exceptions, offering a more descriptive phrase.

mainly however

Replaces "chiefly" with "mainly", offering a slightly different emphasis on the primary aspect.

primarily yet

Substitutes "chiefly" with "primarily" and "but" with "yet", keeping the core meaning intact.

mainly with some exceptions

Rephrases the concept to highlight that the exceptions are just some and the main rule is still valid

mostly although

Employs "mostly" instead of "chiefly" and "although" instead of "but", providing a softer contrast.

largely still

Uses "largely" in place of "chiefly" and "still" in place of "but", implying a continuing primary state despite exceptions.

principally nevertheless

Replaces "chiefly" with "principally" and "but" with "nevertheless", adding a formal tone.

predominantly nonetheless

Substitutes "chiefly" with "predominantly" and "but" with "nonetheless", emphasizing the dominance of the primary aspect.

in the main though

Offers a more colloquial alternative, replacing "chiefly" with "in the main" and "but" with "though".

for the most part even so

Replaces "chiefly" with "for the most part" and "but" with "even so", highlighting the generality of the primary aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "chiefly but" to indicate that something is mainly true, while acknowledging exceptions. For example, "The economy is "chiefly but" not entirely driven by consumer spending."

What are some alternatives to "chiefly but"?

Alternatives include "primarily yet", "mainly however", or "mostly although", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "chiefly but" formal or informal?

"Chiefly but" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "principally nevertheless" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "chiefly but" and "mainly because"?

"Chiefly but" indicates a primary aspect with exceptions, while "mainly because" introduces the primary reason or cause. "Chiefly but" describes a state, while "mainly because" explains why something happens. For instance, “The decline was "chiefly but" not solely due to weather patterns”, versus “The decline was mainly because of severe weather”.