is mainly about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is mainly about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a topic or piece of writing focuses primarily on a certain subject. For example, "This article is mainly about the benefits of distance learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His foreign policy is mainly about presence.

The New Yorker

It is mainly about Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

(It is mainly about the stories.

The Guardian - Books

Now, film is mainly about marketing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But these days it is mainly about money.

The Guardian - Sport

That's what the "somewheres" and "anywheres" framing is mainly about.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 3D simulation is mainly about the structure change.

Advances in Engineering Software

Still, the "Give 1 Get 1" initiative is mainly about the giving.

The New York Times

There is no denying that this race is mainly about Mr. Bush's disastrous tenure.

The New York Times

Merkel's politics is mainly about doing nothing and thus not hurting anybody.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has already written a book, which is mainly about his statistics and cricketing life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is mainly about", ensure that the remaining content aligns with the stated main focus to avoid confusing the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is mainly about" if the subject has multiple equal focuses. In such cases, consider using phrases like "covers a range of topics including" or "addresses several key areas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mainly about" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject to a predicate nominative or adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to define the essence or central theme of the subject being discussed. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe topics ranging from books to political strategies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is mainly about" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate the primary focus or subject of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news articles and scientific publications, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance your writing, use it to clearly define the main topic while ensuring the content aligns with the stated focus. Be mindful not to overstate the main focus, and consider alternatives like "is primarily about" or "focuses primarily on" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is primarily about

Similar to "is mainly about", but puts more emphasis on the primary aspect.

is essentially about

Replaces "mainly" with "essentially", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the subject.

is principally about

Substitutes "mainly" with "principally", highlighting the primary or most important aspect.

is chiefly about

Replaces "mainly" with "chiefly", emphasizing the most significant aspect.

is largely about

Uses "largely" instead of "mainly", suggesting that the subject is primarily, but not exclusively, focused on something.

focuses primarily on

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the action of focusing.

centers mainly on

Uses "centers" to indicate the main point around which something revolves.

deals mainly with

Indicates the scope of the subject matter.

concerns itself primarily with

A more formal way of expressing the primary focus.

revolves primarily around

Emphasizes that everything is centered on the specified subject.

FAQs

What does "is mainly about" mean?

The phrase "is mainly about" indicates the primary topic, subject, or focus of something. It signals what the content will predominantly address or discuss.

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

You can use "is mainly about" to introduce the central theme of a text, discussion, or project. For example, "This book "is mainly about" the American Civil War."

What are some alternatives to "is mainly about"?

Alternatives include "is primarily about", "is essentially about", "focuses primarily on", or "deals mainly with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "is mainly about" formal or informal?

"Is mainly about" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.