chiefly for

USAGE SUMMARY

"chiefly for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are listing a few reasons for something, and the reasons you are listing are the most important reasons. For example: "I'm running for office chiefly for the purpose of advocating for social justice initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chiefly for economic reasons.

The Economist

Japan was making things chiefly for export.

The Economist

Outside, Völler is known chiefly for his appearance.

The Guardian - Sport

The line-up is chiefly for detectives to study criminals.

The New Yorker

Old Kingdom mastabas were used chiefly for nonroyal burials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was always employed chiefly for writing on papyrus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At first, villagers used electricity chiefly for lighting.

The New York Times

But he was known chiefly for his defensive presence.

The New York Times - Sports

The Romans too used veneers, though chiefly for decorative purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A pleasantly nostalgic documentary, maybe chiefly for fans.

The Guardian - Film

The facts are useful chiefly for constructing the ideas.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chiefly for" when you want to indicate the main reason or purpose, while acknowledging that there might be other contributing factors. For example, "The project was successful, chiefly for its innovative design".

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly for" excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mostly for" or "mainly for" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly for" functions as an adverbial phrase that connects two parts of a sentence, indicating the main reason or purpose for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the most important reason among potentially several.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

32%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chiefly for" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the primary reason or purpose behind something. As Ludwig AI suggests, its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts make it a reliable choice. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's advisable to avoid overuse in very casual conversations. The phrase is prominently featured in news media, encyclopedias, and academic writing. Remember that while "chiefly for" highlights the primary reason, other factors might also contribute. Use it to clarify motivations and justifications, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily for

This alternative emphasizes the main reason, similar to "chiefly for".

mainly for

This phrase suggests the principal reason, closely mirroring the meaning of "chiefly for".

mostly for

This alternative indicates that the reason is the major one, akin to "chiefly for".

largely for

This phrase highlights that the reason is substantial, similar in implication to "chiefly for".

principally for

This alternative underlines the primary nature of the reason.

predominantly for

This emphasizes that the reason is the most dominant.

primarily because of

This is an alternative way to present the cause instead of "for".

in the main for

This highlights the most important reason or factor, similar to "chiefly for".

above all for

This stresses the most important reason.

for the most part for

This alternative highlights that the following reason is the main one.

FAQs

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

Use "chiefly for" to introduce the primary reason or purpose behind an action or decision. For example, "The grant was awarded chiefly for its potential impact on the community".

What phrases can I use instead of "chiefly for"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly for", "primarily for", or "mostly for" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "chiefly for" in formal writing?

Yes, "chiefly for" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly indicates the primary reason or purpose in a concise manner.

What's the difference between "chiefly for" and "especially for"?

"Chiefly for" indicates the main reason or purpose, while "especially for" suggests something is particularly suited or intended for a specific use or situation.