is mainly

USAGE SUMMARY

"is mainly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something consists primarily of something else. For example: "The main focus of the presentation is mainly on understanding the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is mainly babble.

The New York Times

The population is mainly Javanese.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manufacturing is mainly farm-based.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Control is mainly by vaccination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The village is mainly residential.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The population is mainly Manipuri.

Encyclopedia Britannica

but DOE is mainly grumbling.

Princeton University

"Writing is mainly recreational," he said.

The New Yorker

Our fan base is mainly females".

The New York Times

Melochia (55 species) is mainly New World.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Queniborough is mainly dairy country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is mainly", ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject is primarily composed of or characterized by, providing specific details for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is mainly" without providing sufficient context. For instance, instead of saying "The issue is mainly about money", specify what aspects of the issue relate to finances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mainly" functions as a copular verb phrase followed by an adverb, modifying a predicate adjective or noun. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and effectively expresses the predominant characteristic or component of a subject. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its wide applicability across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

29%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is mainly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to highlight the predominant characteristic or component of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this versatile phrase appears across various contexts, from encyclopedias and news media to scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context. Alternatives include "is primarily", "is chiefly", and "is largely". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "is mainly" to convey the primary nature of a subject in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is primarily

Replaces "mainly" with "primarily", which conveys a similar sense of being the principal or most important aspect.

is chiefly

Uses "chiefly" instead of "mainly", suggesting that something is principally or predominantly something else.

is largely

Employs "largely" as a substitute for "mainly", implying that something is to a great extent something else.

is mostly

Replaces "mainly" with "mostly", indicating that something is true in the majority of cases or instances.

is predominantly

Substitutes "mainly" with "predominantly", suggesting that something is the strongest or most common element.

is principally

Uses "principally" in place of "mainly", conveying the idea that something is primarily or fundamentally something else.

consists primarily of

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the composition of something, rather than its characteristic.

is fundamentally

Uses "fundamentally" instead of "mainly", indicating that something is essentially or at its core something else.

is essentially

Replaces "mainly" with "essentially", suggesting that something is, in its basic nature, something else.

is, for the most part

Offers a more verbose but equivalent expression, highlighting the general or usual condition of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is mainly" in a sentence?

Use "is mainly" to indicate the primary characteristic or component of something. For example, "The audience /s/is+mainly composed of students" shows the primary demographic of the audience.

What are some alternatives to using "is mainly"?

You can use phrases like "/s/is+primarily", "/s/is+chiefly", or "/s/is+largely" as alternatives to "is mainly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is mainly" or "is only"?

"Is mainly" indicates a primary but not exclusive characteristic, while "is only" indicates exclusivity. The best choice depends on whether other characteristics or components exist. For example: "The project /s/is+mainly focused on data analysis", which allows for secondary areas of focus as well.

What's the difference between "is mainly" and "is partially"?

"Is mainly" suggests a greater proportion or importance than "is partially". "The budget /s/is+partially funded by donations" implies that donations are a contributing factor, but not the primary source of funds.