is mainly to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is mainly to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce the purpose of something. For example: "The main purpose of organizing the event is mainly to raise money for charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Abba is mainly to blame.

The Guardian

The company insists this is mainly to prevent feline overpopulation.

The New York Times - Science

Alaska's fisheries officials say climate change is mainly to blame.

The Economist

"Their entering Tibet now is mainly to handle losses from the incidents".

The New York Times

In fact, this recitation of half-remembered nostrums is mainly to soothe nerves.

The Guardian - Sport

The target is mainly to be reached by massive investments in alternative power generation.

The Economist

A lack of explosiveness at wide receiver is mainly to blame.

The New York Times

His job is mainly to call press conferences and denounce things.

The New York Times

This is mainly to dig coal from massive planned mines in the Galilee Basin for export and burning.

The Guardian

The current one is mainly to satisfy fire codes and other official dictates necessitated by the museum's popularity.

The New Yorker

So their key argument is striking: the Republican Party is mainly to blame for what's wrong with Washington.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "is mainly to" with strong verbs to enhance clarity. For example, "The goal is mainly to improve" is more impactful than "The goal is mainly for improvement."

Common error

Avoid using "is mainly to" to introduce overly broad or vague purposes. Instead, specify the intended outcome clearly to prevent ambiguity. Example: Instead of saying "The project is mainly to help people", specify "The project is mainly to provide access to clean water in rural communities."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mainly to" functions as a purpose connector, introducing the primary reason or intention behind an action or state. It clarifies the key objective. Ludwig's examples show this usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role in specifying purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is mainly to" serves as a crucial tool for expressing the primary intention or purpose behind an action, plan, or design. It is grammatically sound and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Appearing frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication needs. Alternatives like "serves primarily to" or "is chiefly intended to" can offer nuanced substitutions. When employing this phrase, it's best to pair it with strong verbs for clarity and avoid using it with overly broad statements, as detailed in writing guidance. Overall, "is mainly to" is a reliable phrase for conveying main objectives effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serves primarily to

Emphasizes service or function as the main reason.

is chiefly intended to

Highlights the intention or design behind an action or object.

functions principally to

Focuses on the primary function or role.

is largely designed to

Highlights the design or planning as the primary factor.

aims primarily at

Focuses on the target or objective of an action.

is predominantly for

Indicates the main purpose or use of something.

is mostly used for

Emphasizes the common or frequent use of something.

is essentially about

Highlights the core essence or nature of something.

is fundamentally to

Emphasizes that something is important or basic.

operates mainly by

Focuses on the main method or mechanism of operation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is mainly to"?

You can use alternatives like "serves primarily to", "is chiefly intended to", or "functions principally to" depending on the context.

How do I use "is mainly to" in a sentence?

The phrase "is mainly to" is used to introduce the primary purpose or intention of something. For example, "The purpose of this study is mainly to investigate the tensile and compression strengths of natural and treated soft soil."

When is it appropriate to use "is mainly to" instead of "is intended to"?

"Is mainly to" emphasizes the primary purpose, suggesting that other purposes might exist but are less important. "Is intended to" simply states the intended purpose without prioritizing it over other possible purposes.

Is it redundant to use "is mainly to" after stating the main purpose?

While it might seem redundant, using "is mainly to" can reinforce the primary intention. However, ensure that the phrasing doesn't become repetitive or cumbersome. For example, instead of saying "The main purpose is mainly to…", rephrase to avoid direct repetition.