chiefly of

USAGE SUMMARY

'chiefly of' is an acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "The curriculum consists chiefly of mathematics and science courses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The population consists chiefly of Songhai people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chiefly of course, for viewers, courtesy of Graham Norton.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Craveirinha's literary works are chiefly of a political nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mannheim school consists chiefly of two generations of composers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The alliance, whose forces have occupied Kabul, is composed chiefly of ethnic Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras.

The New York Times

The book consists chiefly of letters from, to, or about Fishes, Stuyvesants & allied clans.

The New Yorker

It is not a memoir; it consists chiefly of lectures on war, edited for publication.

The New York Times - Books

Some might argue that such seasons are chiefly of interest to critics.

The Guardian

I disagree strongly with a respected colleague who said the subject was chiefly of local interest.

The Guardian

Most sand consists chiefly of quartz, the commonest form of silica, but there are other kinds.

The New Yorker

About 1740 he turned once again to painting portraits, chiefly of middle-class sitters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chiefly of", ensure that the components you are describing truly represent the dominant elements or characteristics of the subject. This maintains clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly of" when describing minor components or characteristics. It should only be applied when describing the most significant or substantial aspects of the subject to prevent misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It indicates the primary component or characteristic of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chiefly of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the primary components or features of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's acceptable for use in written English. It appears commonly in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific literature, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "chiefly of", ensure it accurately represents the dominant aspects of the subject. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "mainly consisting of" or "primarily composed of". Its function is to specify key elements, and its misuse can lead to inaccuracies in conveying information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly consisting of

Focuses on the composition, highlighting the primary components.

primarily composed of

Emphasizes the elements that something is made up of, with a focus on the dominant ones.

largely made up of

Indicates a significant portion is constituted by certain elements.

mostly consisting of

Similar to 'mainly', but with a slightly less formal tone.

predominantly featuring

Highlights the most noticeable or common characteristic.

principally including

Suggests the main items or aspects that are included.

essentially comprising

Focuses on the fundamental elements that constitute something.

in the main

Offers a more concise way to indicate the primary aspect or element.

for the most part

Indicates what is generally or usually the case.

above all

Implies that something is more important or significant than everything else.

FAQs

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

Use "chiefly of" to indicate the primary components or characteristics of something. For example, "The region consists chiefly of forested hill ridges."

What are some alternatives to "chiefly of"?

You can use alternatives such as "mainly consisting of", "primarily composed of", or "largely made up of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primarily of" instead of "chiefly of"?

While "primarily of" can sometimes be used, it's generally more accurate to use "chiefly of" when indicating the main components. "Primarily" can also mean 'at first' or 'originally', so "chiefly" is often clearer in meaning.

What's the difference between "chiefly of" and "mostly of"?

"Chiefly of" suggests the main or dominant components, whereas "mostly of" indicates a large proportion but doesn't necessarily imply dominance. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize dominance or simply a large quantity.