is mostly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is mostly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally absent or not present in most cases. Example: "The solution to the problem is mostly not effective in achieving the desired results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The game is mostly not the game.

The New Yorker

It is, though Mr Zadari is mostly not to blame.

The Economist

Water is mostly not allowed in apartment buildings because of the potential for leaks.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tube strikes notwithstanding, that our society largely works and is mostly not crooked also appeals.

Independent

But committed support of a football team is mostly not optional.

Independent

The rule, intended to curb prostitution and drugs, passed but is mostly not enforced.

The New York Times

"As should be clear to all," he added, "without women, culture is mostly not perpetuated".

The New York Times - Food

CONS: The drive -- 45 minutes northwest from the George Washington Bridge -- is mostly not highway.

The New York Times

Trade, increasingly, is mostly not in finished goods like Portuguese wine.

The New Yorker

To the Editor: Discussion of the problem should acknowledge that healthful produce, especially vegetables, is mostly not ready to eat.

The New York Times

It is mostly (not entirely of course) very accepting and friendly with a genuine sense of being a community.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is mostly not" to accurately convey that something is generally absent or does not hold true in most situations. This phrase is useful for nuanced statements where a complete negation would be inaccurate.

Common error

While "is mostly not" is useful for conveying nuance, avoid overusing it when a more direct alternative like "is rarely" or "is generally not" would be more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mostly not" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is generally untrue or absent. It's used to express a lack of prevalence rather than a complete negation, as Ludwig demonstrates. It tempers a statement, acknowledging possible exceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is mostly not" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English to express that something is generally untrue or absent while acknowledging exceptions. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct. It appears commonly across various contexts, including news, science, and more formal writing. While alternatives like "is generally not" exist, "is mostly not" provides a specific nuance that can be valuable for precise communication, but overusing it can lead to wordiness. Ensure accurate use to avoid misinterpretations and aim for clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is generally not

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the general absence or lack of something.

is largely not

This alternative implies that something is not the case to a great extent, focusing on the substantial absence.

is primarily not

This alternative stresses that something is not the main or leading aspect, highlighting the non-principal nature.

is predominantly not

This alternative indicates that something is not the prevailing or dominant characteristic, focusing on the non-dominant nature.

is essentially not

This alternative conveys that something is not fundamentally or intrinsically the case, emphasizing the core absence.

is typically not

This alternative suggests that something does not usually occur or is not standard, highlighting the atypical nature.

is usually not

This alternative indicates that something is not the norm or common occurrence, focusing on the uncommon nature.

is rarely

This alternative means that something seldom happens or exists, focusing on its infrequency.

does not often

This alternative indicates that something is infrequent, highlighting the lack of frequency.

is seldom

This alternative conveys that something rarely occurs, emphasizing its infrequent existence.

FAQs

How can I use "is mostly not" in a sentence?

Use "is mostly not" to express that something is generally untrue or absent in most cases. For example, "The information provided "is mostly not" accurate."

What phrases can I use instead of "is mostly not"?

You can use alternatives like "is generally not", "is largely not", or "is primarily not" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "is mostly not" and "is not"?

"Is mostly not" implies that something is generally untrue but may have exceptions, while "is not" is a complete negation. The choice depends on the level of accuracy required.

Is "is mostly not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is mostly not" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is generally not the case.