chiefly used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily or mainly utilized for a specific purpose or in a particular context. Example: "This tool is chiefly used for data analysis in research projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

One candidate is transabdominal ultrasonography (US), a useful and non-invasive diagnostic procedure which is chiefly used in the examination of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.

BMC Gastroenterology

Iridium is chiefly used in the form of platinum alloys.

Britannica

Corduroy is chiefly used for breeches, coats, hunting apparel, millinery, slacks, jackets, and trousers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is in this work that wood carving is chiefly used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(At first, the writ was chiefly used by the king, to establish his jurisdiction, rather than by prisoners).

The New Yorker

The Pave Hawk helicopter is chiefly used for search and rescue missions in marginal weather, according to the Air Force.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Like many of his colleagues, Mr. Verno chiefly uses a very narrow, thin and flexible knife with a curved tip, sometimes called a Thai knife.

The New York Times - Food

"Nobody else has any of these sounds on their hard drives or in their samples, anywhere in the world," said Mr. Cicci, who chiefly uses Live, an audio software program from Ableton, to create and mix his sounds.

The New York Times - Tech

Chiefly, use the Windows version for now.

TechCrunch

Myzostomids and their hosts were collected chiefly using scuba.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Public interest is high in the net neutrality proceeding for which the electronic comment filing system (ECFS) has chiefly been used over the last few months.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the main function of a tool, technique, or resource, use "chiefly used" to clearly communicate its primary purpose. For example, "This software is chiefly used for data analysis."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "chiefly used" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such cases, consider alternatives like "mainly used" or "mostly used" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly used" functions as a descriptive element, specifying the main purpose or application of a subject. It modifies a noun by indicating what the subject is primarily employed for. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

22%

News & Media

21%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly used" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression employed to denote the primary purpose or function of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and maintains broad applicability. While "chiefly used" finds frequent application across varied contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications, it's important to note its formal register, suggesting judicious use in more casual settings. For scenarios demanding less formality, alternatives such as "mainly used" or "mostly used" may prove more suitable. Therefore, understanding both the functionality and contextual appropriateness of "chiefly used" ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily employed

Replaces "used" with "employed", indicating active utilization, which conveys the same primary function but sounds more formal.

mainly utilized

Substitutes "chiefly" with "mainly" and "used" with "utilized", providing a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

largely applied

Changes "chiefly" to "largely" and "used" to "applied", shifting the focus to the application or implementation of something.

principally adopted

Replaces "chiefly" with "principally" and "used" with "adopted", suggesting a primary method or approach that has been chosen.

commonly designated

Shifts the focus from use to designation, implying that something is primarily referred to or known by a specific term or name.

frequently leveraged

Emphasizes the strategic or advantageous aspect of using something, implying that it is often used to achieve a specific goal.

predominantly consumed

Focuses on the consumption aspect, indicating that something is mainly used by being consumed or utilized in large quantities.

generally administered

Shifts the focus to administration, implying that a process or substance is primarily used in a controlled or managed way.

typically dedicated

Emphasizes the exclusive purpose or function to which something is assigned, which is slightly different from "used" but still implies primary function.

especially allocated

Highlights the allocation aspect, suggesting that something is primarily reserved or designated for a specific purpose or use.

FAQs

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

Use "chiefly used" to describe the primary purpose or application of something. For example, "This room is chiefly used for meetings".

What are some alternatives to "chiefly used"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly utilized", "primarily employed", or "largely applied" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "chiefly used" or "mostly used"?

Both "chiefly used" and "mostly used" are grammatically correct, but "chiefly used" is more formal. Choose "mostly used" for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "chiefly used" and "commonly used"?

"Chiefly used" emphasizes the main purpose, while "commonly used" highlights widespread usage. For instance, something can be "chiefly used" for one purpose, even if it is "commonly used" for several.