chiefly significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly significant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is primarily or mainly important or meaningful in a particular context. Example: "The findings of the study are chiefly significant for understanding the impact of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adams found it "short, written with some elegance, and remarkable chiefly for a significant threat of reform".

The New Yorker

The list may be significant chiefly because it shows the Clinton camp's discomfort at Mr. Bush's infiltration of the president's rhetorical territory.

The New York Times

The previously dominant school of thought, structuralism, conceived of psychology as the science of consciousness, experience, or mind; although bodily activities were not excluded, they were considered significant chiefly in their relations to mental phenomena.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The regime's Janjaweed forces have also suffered significant losses, chiefly at the hands of the potent rebel alliance called the National Redemption Front.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also subject to significant bottlenecks, chiefly access to charging stations (due to "range anxiety") and the inconvenience of how long it takes to charge an EV battery.

Columbia University

The lure is the chance to shore up Vodafone's position in its largest non-United States market, giving it a credible "quad-play" offering and significant savings, chiefly by bypassing a wholesale deal with Deutsche Telekom.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, ablation provided a significant improvement, chiefly for Physical Role, Vitality and Mental Health, and patients were able to perceive this improvement for Physical Role.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

However, isoflavones are usually treated separately from other subclasses of antioxidants because these phytochemicals are found in significant concentrations chiefly in soybeans and soy-related foods.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

A significant proportion come chiefly to earn money, and eventually they return to the countries they were born in.

The New Yorker

In that group, investigators found a higher than average rate of clinically significant behavior problems (chiefly hyperactivity and distractibility) after five years if and only if their mothers suffered from postpartum depression.

Harvard University

For those squeamish about the $3.5 billion price tag, the sales book distributed to prospective buyers suggests new ways for the new owner "to generate significant direct revenues," chiefly by licensing the naming rights for "the premier office building in the world".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chiefly significant" to emphasize the primary reason or factor that makes something important in a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly significant" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mainly important" or "mostly significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly significant" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and emphasizes the primary or main importance of something.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chiefly significant" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to highlight the primary importance or relevance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is indeed correct. While the phrase itself is valid, it is relatively formal and should be reserved for appropriate contexts, such as academic writing or professional communication. More informal alternatives like "mainly important" or "especially important" may be suitable for less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily important

Focuses on the primary aspect of importance, similar to "chiefly significant" but with a stronger emphasis on importance.

mainly important

Highlights the main aspect of importance, akin to "chiefly significant" but with a more general tone.

principally significant

Emphasizes the principal aspect of significance, closely related to "chiefly significant" but more formal.

largely significant

Indicates a large degree of significance, similar to "chiefly significant" but focusing on the extent of significance.

mostly significant

Highlights that the majority of the significance comes from a particular aspect, similar to "chiefly significant".

primarily meaningful

Shifts the focus from significance to meaningfulness, maintaining a similar sense of primary importance.

mainly relevant

Highlights the main relevance of something, similar to "chiefly significant" but focused on relevance.

primarily notable

Emphasizes the primary noteworthiness of something, similar to "chiefly significant" but focusing on what is worthy of attention.

significantly chief

Inverts the word order, but retaining a similar nuance of primary significance.

especially important

Highlights a particular importance, similar to "chiefly significant" but emphasizing the special aspect of the importance.

FAQs

How to use "chiefly significant" in a sentence?

"Chiefly significant" is used to emphasize the primary reason or factor that makes something important. For example, "The study's findings are chiefly significant for understanding climate change."

What can I say instead of "chiefly significant"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily important", "mainly relevant", or "especially important" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "chiefly significant" or "significantly chief"?

"Chiefly significant" is the standard and more common phrasing. "Significantly chief" is less common and may sound awkward to some readers.

What's the difference between "chiefly significant" and "mainly important"?

While both phrases convey the idea of primary importance, "chiefly significant" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the specific reason for the significance. "Mainly important" is more general and can be used in a broader range of contexts.