chiefly in terms of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly in terms of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is primarily or mainly being considered from a specific perspective or aspect. Example: "The project's success can be evaluated chiefly in terms of its impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But if "back to basics" is what's being sought here, it's chiefly in terms of the songs.

The Guardian - Music

"But unfortunately the emphasis in the press has been on sensationalising my breasts, chiefly in terms of my family.

Independent

And independent no longer evokes a lonely creator laboring in a loft but a production and marketing strategy that differs from the studios chiefly in terms of scale.

The New York Times

The main argument of those favouring exit from Europe is that the UK benefits chiefly in terms of intelligence-gathering from its close relationship with the US and receives relatively little from European agencies.

The Guardian

Characters both Indian and Western see one another chiefly in terms of their own secret desires; only in a pair of stories about religious seekers does the veil lift.

The New York Times - Books

The three (1967 8) Journal of Linguistics articles on transitivity and theme are expressed and organized chiefly in terms of system networks.

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The terrain beyond the city fringe is chiefly understood in terms of large generic units ("field", "hill", "valley", "wood").

The Guardian - Books

The reason for this paucity of creeds is that Jewish identity has been chiefly defined in terms of the observance of the commandments and of the Oral Torah, not the acceptance of doctrines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It thinks big, and is chiefly imagined in terms of large-scale information communications systems that hinge on the collection of real-time and so-called 'big data'.

City, Culture and Society

While it is known to be involved in adhesion across a broad range of cell types [ 2], Ln2-P3 has been chiefly evaluated in terms of its effectiveness in promoting epithelial cell attachment rather than in estimating its affinity for bone cells [ 10– 10].

BioMed Research International

While this offers opportunity for many inventions, the production of petrochemical-based products has led to chiefly optimized production chains in terms of the economics and performance of the product as well as in aspects such as process optimization and environmental impact.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chiefly in terms of", ensure that the specific aspect or perspective you are emphasizing is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "chiefly in terms of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mainly regarding" or "mostly about" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly in terms of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, specifying the primary aspect or perspective from which something is being considered. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase adds precision to statements by focusing attention on a particular element or criterion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly in terms of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to emphasize a specific aspect or perspective. Ludwig's examples reveal its common usage in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While it's appropriate for formal and analytical writing, simpler alternatives might be preferred in informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for use in written English and provides useful context for its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly with regard to

Replaces "chiefly" with "mainly" and rephrases "in terms of" with "with regard to" for a slightly different emphasis.

primarily concerning

Uses "primarily" instead of "chiefly" and "concerning" to replace "in terms of", resulting in a more concise expression.

largely regarding

Employs "largely" instead of "chiefly" and uses "regarding" as a substitute for "in terms of", offering a less formal alternative.

mostly considering

Replaces "chiefly" with "mostly" and "in terms of" with "considering", altering the focus slightly towards contemplation.

principally from the standpoint of

Offers a more formal and elaborate alternative, replacing "chiefly" with "principally" and rephrasing "in terms of" with "from the standpoint of".

primarily in relation to

Replaces "in terms of" with "in relation to" for a slightly different nuance, while retaining "primarily" as a synonym for "chiefly".

mainly when it comes to

Uses a more conversational tone, substituting "chiefly" with "mainly" and "in terms of" with "when it comes to".

primarily based on

Focuses on the foundation or rationale, using "primarily based on" to indicate the main criteria.

mostly from the perspective of

Emphasizes the viewpoint, using "mostly from the perspective of" to highlight the subjective nature of the consideration.

largely with respect to

Provides a formal tone, replacing "in terms of" with "with respect to", indicating deference or consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "chiefly in terms of" to indicate the main aspect being considered. For example, "The project's success can be evaluated chiefly in terms of its impact on the community."

What phrases are similar to "chiefly in terms of"?

Similar phrases include "mainly regarding", "primarily concerning", or "largely regarding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chiefly in terms of" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "chiefly in terms of" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a sense of precision and emphasis on a particular aspect or perspective.

What is the difference between "chiefly in terms of" and "mostly in terms of"?

While both phrases are similar, "chiefly in terms of" suggests a stronger emphasis on the primary aspect, whereas "mostly in terms of" implies a broader consideration with a slight inclination towards the specified aspect.