chiefly through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary means or method by which something is achieved or occurs. Example: "The project was successful chiefly through the dedication and hard work of the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Argument mattered chiefly through the moods it made.

The New Yorker

Plant morphogenesis is brought about chiefly through differential growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Until now, they have made their presence felt chiefly through their many checkpoints.

The Economist

Chimaeras take in water chiefly through the nostrils, keeping the mouth closed for the most part.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The small urban population has been growing rapidly, chiefly through migration to the capital cities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today's way of financing biotechnology, chiefly through the venture financing of start-up firms, looks unsustainable.

The Economist

Andrea Pisano is known chiefly through the bronze doors completed for the Baptistery of Florence cathedral during the 1330s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dylan's continuing link to the Beat generation, though, came chiefly through his friend and sometime mentor Allen Ginsberg.

The New Yorker

Some of the most productive missions, however, appeared in Asia, chiefly through the work of the Jesuits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Chung expresses those shifts chiefly through grappling partnering and by having one dancer turn away from the other.

The New York Times - Arts

Eighteenth-century opera nourished musical developments in the theatre chiefly through establishing regular orchestras of some quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chiefly through", ensure that the method you are highlighting is indeed the most significant or prominent one. This will maintain the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly through" when the method you are describing is only one of several equally important factors. Using it inaccurately can mislead the reader and diminish the credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly through" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the primary means, method, or channel through which an action is performed or a result is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

31%

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chiefly through" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the primary means or method by which something is accomplished. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various domains. As shown by Ludwig, it is particularly common in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications, highlighting its suitability for formal and neutral contexts. When using "chiefly through", ensure that the identified method is indeed the most significant to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "primarily via" or "mainly by means of" can be used for subtle variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily via

Replaces "chiefly" with "primarily" and "through" with "via", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

predominantly through

Replaces "chiefly" with "predominantly", maintaining a similar level of formality.

mainly by means of

Substitutes "chiefly" with "mainly" and uses the phrase "by means of" to replace "through", adding a touch more formality.

mostly through

Uses "mostly" as a less formal substitute for "chiefly", making it suitable for more casual contexts.

largely as a result of

Replaces "chiefly through" with a phrase emphasizing the consequential aspect of the method.

in the main through

Uses "in the main" to convey a similar meaning to "chiefly", providing a slightly different idiomatic expression.

principally by way of

Uses "principally" instead of "chiefly" and "by way of" instead of "through", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

primarily as a consequence of

This alternative highlights the resultative nature, using "as a consequence of" to replace "through".

for the most part through

Offers a more verbose alternative using "for the most part" to convey the idea of "chiefly".

by and large through

This phrase, "by and large", is used to convey a similar meaning of generality to "chiefly".

FAQs

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

Use "chiefly through" to indicate the primary means or method by which something is achieved or occurs. For instance, "The company's growth was achieved "chiefly through" aggressive marketing campaigns".

What are some alternatives to "chiefly through"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily via", "mainly by means of", or "largely as a result of" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "chiefly through" or "mainly through"?

"Chiefly through" and "mainly through" are both relatively neutral in tone. However, "chiefly" may be perceived as slightly more formal than "mainly".

What is the difference between "chiefly through" and "primarily because of"?

"Chiefly through" emphasizes the means or method, while "primarily because of" emphasizes the cause or reason. Use "chiefly through" when you want to highlight how something was accomplished, and "primarily because of" when you want to explain why something happened.