due mostly to

USAGE SUMMARY

"due mostly to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something specific (or a combination of factors) is the primary cause or reason for a situation, usually a negative one. For example: "The town's unemployment rate is high due mostly to the recent factory closure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's due mostly to the costs of educating their children.

The Washington Post

Due mostly to our confidence that we were about to witness a positive historical moment.

The Guardian

The reputation of the Weary Herakles is due mostly to the strange story of its discovery.

The Guardian - Arts

First, the postponement was due mostly to the predicted temperature, not actual precipitation.

The New York Times - Sports

The decline is due mostly to the fact that it's packed with sugar, albeit natural sugar.

The Washington Post

Triploidy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is due mostly to retention of the second polar body.

Fertility and Sterility

In April, inflation topped 60% due mostly to utility price hikes.

The Economist

We did find a couple of flamboyant outliers, but this was due mostly to vintage variations.

The New York Times - Food

That fact seems to be due mostly to the social-comparison mechanism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A coexisting absorption slope, due mostly to defects, increases but tends to saturate with ion fluence.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Although politicians and the police took credit, the crime drop was probably due mostly to the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, consider front-loading the cause introduced by "due mostly to" to immediately establish the central reason in your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "due mostly to" when multiple factors contribute significantly to a situation. If there are other factors, consider using phrases like "partly due to" or "influenced by" to reflect the shared causality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "due mostly to" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its primary cause or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase for indicating the main factor contributing to a particular situation. This usage is evident in numerous examples where "due mostly to" introduces the primary reason behind a specific outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "due mostly to" is a prevalent and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the primary cause or reason behind an event or situation. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and can be used when emphasizing a main cause, particularly for negative events. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, reflecting its versatility and broad acceptance. When using "due mostly to", it's important to ensure that the identified factor is indeed the primary cause. Consider alternatives like "mainly because of" or "primarily attributable to" for nuanced expression. Its usage is supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly because of

A more direct and straightforward way of expressing the primary cause.

in large part due to

Emphasizes the significant contribution of the specified reason.

primarily attributable to

Emphasizes the aspect of attribution as the main reason, offering a more formal tone.

mostly on account of

Uses 'on account of' to present a reason, similar in tone to 'because of'.

largely a result of

Highlights the consequence or outcome, suggesting a substantial impact.

principally caused by

Highlights that the reason in question acted as the most important cause.

essentially stems from

Highlights the origin or root cause of a situation.

chiefly owing to

Uses 'owing to' to indicate cause, with 'chiefly' stressing the main factor.

predominantly influenced by

Indicates that the primary factor has heavily swayed or shaped the outcome.

fundamentally a product of

Indicates that the reason is the core or base cause.

FAQs

How can I use "due mostly to" in a sentence?

Use "due mostly to" to indicate the primary reason or cause of a particular situation or outcome. For instance, "The project's delay was "due mostly to" unforeseen technical challenges".

What are some alternatives to "due mostly to"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly because of", "largely a result of", or "primarily attributable to" to express a similar meaning. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while still conveying the primary cause. See also: "largely a result of" or "primarily attributable to".

Is "due mostly to" formal or informal?

"Due mostly to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly formal, it is a clear and concise way to express causality, making it appropriate for various types of writing and speech.

Can I use "due mostly to" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "due mostly to" can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally better to place the phrase within the sentence to improve flow and readability. For example, "The increase in sales was "due mostly to" our marketing campaign" is preferable to "Due mostly to our marketing campaign, sales increased".