is mainly only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is mainly only" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or redundant.
It can be used when trying to emphasize that something is primarily or exclusively a certain way, but it is better to avoid this construction for clarity. Example: "The project is mainly only focused on improving user experience, rather than functionality."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is the world's most dangerous road, but luckily it is mainly only bikes that use it now, and it is so much fun! madness-bolivia.com Jimmy813.

The Guardian - Travel

It was further identified that tipping fee from the government is mainly only received by the large-scale composting plants (the small-scale Matale plant receive it as a "collection fee" because it is more of a community scale).

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Some studies indicate that early INR and standardised dose adaptation can cover for the genetic information, which is mainly only significant in the early phase of therapy [ 44, 45].

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

For instance, although PathBLAST [ 20, 22] can implement query searches, it is mainly only applicable to small pathways – up to 5 proteins – mainly due to the dimensionality problem with pathway length, and has limited support for identifying non-exact pathway matches.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In Iraq, there are mainly only American and British troops trying to stabilize the country.

The New York Times

It was mainly only discount chains, which had been expected to hold up a bit better than other types of stores, that were bustling long before sunrise.

The New York Times

The choice regarding the amount of water was made so that there were mainly only a few drops on the surface.

Applied Adhesion Science

To that end, Vineti's software tracks logistics, manufacturing and clinical data to improve treatments and drive down the cost of these therapies (which are mainly only accessible to those people with the very best health plans).

TechCrunch

​That didn't get to happen because Simmons was mainly only talking to women.

Vice

Organometallic chemistry of vanadium is well developed, although they are mainly only academic significance.

Wikipedia

She was mainly only known as Paris Hilton's "friend" up until 2007, when the sex tape leaked, and then everything snowballed from there.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and conciseness, consider replacing "is mainly only" with stronger single-word alternatives such as "primarily" or "mostly" to avoid redundancy.

Common error

Avoid using "is mainly only" when a simpler phrasing like "is mainly" or "is only" conveys the intended meaning more effectively. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mainly only" functions as a qualifier, specifying the extent or degree to which a particular characteristic or action applies. Ludwig identifies the phrase can sound awkward. It indicates that something primarily or mostly possesses a certain attribute or fulfills a certain role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is mainly only" is used to qualify something as primarily having a certain characteristic. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase can sound awkward, and there are often more concise and clearer alternatives like "primarily" or "mostly". While it appears across various contexts, from science to news, using stronger single-word replacements will enhance clarity and conciseness in writing. Thus, while acceptable, it is recommended to use the alternatives previously mentioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is mainly just

This alternative adds "just" for emphasis, but maintains similar meaning.

is primarily

This alternative replaces "mainly only" with a single word suggesting the principal aspect.

is mostly

This alternative substitutes "mainly only" with a term emphasizing the greater part or extent.

is largely

This alternative employs a term signifying a considerable degree or extent.

is chiefly

This option uses a word highlighting the principal or most important element.

is primarily focused

This alternative includes the term "focused", indicating a directed attention or effort.

is predominantly

This alternative uses a term suggesting the most common or noticeable aspect.

is principally

This choice employs a word emphasizing the fundamental or primary nature.

is essentially

This alternative replaces the phrase with a term suggesting the basic or fundamental nature.

is almost exclusively

This alternative emphasizes near exclusivity, which is stronger than "mainly only".

FAQs

What does "is mainly only" mean?

The phrase "is mainly only" suggests that something is primarily, but not exclusively, a certain way or used for a specific purpose. It implies a dominant characteristic or function, but allows for exceptions or other minor aspects.

What are some alternatives to "is mainly only"?

You can use alternatives like "is primarily", "is mostly", or "is largely" depending on the context. These options are generally more concise and direct.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is mainly only"?

While understandable, the phrase "is mainly only" can be considered somewhat redundant. Using "is mainly" or "is only" often provides a clearer and more concise expression. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase can sound awkward.

How can I make my writing sound more professional when I'm tempted to use "is mainly only"?

Opt for stronger, single-word alternatives like "is primarily", "is chiefly", or "is predominantly". These alternatives are clearer and more concise, enhancing the overall professionalism of your writing.