is mainly a question of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is mainly a question of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the primary focus or consideration of a topic is related to a specific issue or factor. Example: "The success of the project is mainly a question of effective communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

There again it is mainly a question of distributional differences.

Britannica

"It is mainly a question of intent," said Harry Ferguson, a former MI6 officer.

The Guardian

My technique, such as it is, is mainly a question of balance.

The Guardian

Consequently, the combustion of a sewage sludge is mainly a question of burning the volatile matter.

Chemical Engineering Science

And the Kremlin's own property empire itself still seems to be run very much on the lines of the past.One theory is that it is mainly a question of time.

The Economist

Although the state's county boards are moving more slowly, all of them have announced that they will comply with the Supreme Court's decision, and as far as the N.A.A.C.P. is concerned it is mainly a question of making sure they don't take too long about it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Now it's mainly a question of refining the technology and taking it to the people who need it.

MIT Technology Review

So maybe the problem isn't conceptual; it may be political, but here it's mainly a question of quality.

The New York Times - Arts

Therefore, it was mainly a question of time to develop first points of contact with medical device issues.

Emerging Trends in Medical Plastic Engineering and Manufacturing

It's mainly a question of priorities and — oh, yes — the billions of dollars that a Metro-North access project would require, starting with more financing to complete the access feasibility study.

The New York Times

It's mainly a question of when is right for most people.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is mainly a question of" to pinpoint the most significant factor influencing a situation or decision, providing clarity and focus to your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessively using "is mainly a question of" can make your writing sound repetitive or overly formal. Vary your language with alternatives like "depends on" or "hinges on" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mainly a question of" functions as a linking expression, used to highlight the most important aspect or determining factor of a particular situation, problem, or decision. It emphasizes what is central or crucial. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and effectively conveys this meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

52%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is mainly a question of" serves to spotlight the most crucial aspect of a subject. Grammatically sound and versatile, it is frequently deployed across News & Media and Science domains, conveying clarity in formal discussions. Ludwig confirms the correctness of the phrase, while offering a range of alternative options such as "depends on" or "hinges on" to prevent repetition. The key is to ensure its usage fits the context, avoiding overuse in informal settings to keep writing engaging and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is primarily a matter of

Replaces 'mainly a question' with 'primarily a matter', focusing on the core issue.

is essentially a matter of

Substitutes 'mainly' with 'essentially', emphasizing the fundamental nature of the issue.

is largely dependent on

Shifts the focus to dependency, indicating a major influencing factor.

hinges primarily on

Replaces the question format with a direct statement of dependence.

is chiefly a concern of

Focuses on the concern aspect, highlighting the key area of worry or attention.

is fundamentally about

Changes from a 'question' to 'about', emphasizing the core subject.

revolves mainly around

Indicates that the central point is related to a specific factor.

is mostly related to

Simplifies the structure, focusing on the relational aspect.

boils down to

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate the essential element.

is greatly influenced by

Highlights influence as the main driver, rather than a question.

FAQs

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

Use "is mainly a question of" to emphasize the most important factor in a situation. For example, "The project's success is mainly a question of effective teamwork."

What can I say instead of "is mainly a question of"?

You can use alternatives like "is primarily a matter of", "depends on", or "hinges on" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is mainly a question about"?

While understandable, "is mainly a question of" is more idiomatic and grammatically standard. "Is mainly a question about" can sound slightly awkward in formal writing.

What's the difference between "is mainly a question of" and "is primarily a question of"?

The phrases are very similar. "Is primarily a question of" puts slightly more emphasis on the single most important factor, while "is mainly a question of" suggests that it's a significant, but not necessarily exclusive, factor.