is principally because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is principally because" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the main reason or cause for something. Example: "The project's delay is principally because of unforeseen circumstances that arose during the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This is principally because of proxy responses.

The Guardian

This is principally because this was a purely lay graveyard with no clerics present.

The Guardian

This is principally because it applies to the entirety of the targeted flights, including the portion outside EU airspace.

The Economist

Although the average number of formal disputes per year has fallen since 2001, this is principally because rich countries spend less time fighting each other.

The Economist

Guillermo Valdés, a polling expert at GEA, a think-tank, says the drop in Mr Peña's popularity is principally because the economy has underperformed since he took office, rather than because of the reforms themselves (see chart).

The Economist

This is principally because Benítez prefers his teams to have a lone focal point and also because of the effect that reverting to a two-man attack would have on Chelsea's midfield, particularly on Juan Mata, who was once again outstanding here in a roaming role just off the striker.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

This was principally because, in the meantime, Arsenal exploded: Robert Pirès settled, Freddie Ljungberg and Dennis Bergkamp bonded, and Thierry Henry thierryhenried.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's principally because of the economic situation," he said.

The New York Times

That's principally because Aiden Hoynes David Tennantt) is bitter and unable to accept his own fall from grace.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The rise was principally because of favorable foreign currency exchange rates.

The New York Times

"There's a small minority that has three, four or five and that's principally because they want a son".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is principally because", ensure that the rest of the sentence supports and elaborates on this primary cause, providing context or evidence as needed.

Common error

Avoid using "is principally because" when there are multiple, equally important factors. If the cause is not truly principal but merely one of several significant causes, consider using phrases like "is partly because" or listing all contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is principally because" functions as a causal connector, introducing the primary reason or cause for a particular situation. It explains why something is the way it is. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English to express the main reason or cause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is principally because" serves as a causal connector, indicating the primary reason behind a situation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly used across both scientific and news contexts, implying a degree of formality, but remains suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the stated cause is indeed the most significant factor and that this assertion is supported by context and evidence. While the phrase is considered to be correct, avoid redundancy by omitting "of" after it. Alternatives such as "is mainly because", "is primarily due to", and "is largely attributable to" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is mainly because

Emphasizes the main reason without necessarily implying it's the most important.

is primarily due to

Highlights the cause as a direct result of something.

is essentially because

Focuses on the fundamental reason.

is largely attributable to

Suggests a significant portion is caused by something, often in formal contexts.

is chiefly a result of

Indicates the main outcome or effect.

is fundamentally due to

Emphasizes the basic or essential cause.

stems mainly from

Implies the origin or root cause.

is mostly a consequence of

Highlights the outcome or effect of something.

is predominantly owing to

Similar to 'due to' but can imply a slightly more formal tone.

is significantly influenced by

Indicates that something has a notable impact.

FAQs

What does "is principally because" mean?

It means that something is mainly or primarily caused by a specific reason. It indicates that while there might be other contributing factors, the stated reason is the most important or influential one.

How can I use "is principally because" in a sentence?

Use it to connect an effect or outcome with its main cause. For example, "The project's delay "is principally because" of unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "is principally because"?

You can use alternatives like "is mainly because", "is primarily due to", or "is largely attributable to" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "is principally because of"?

While "is principally because" already implies causation, adding "of" is not strictly incorrect, but it can sometimes sound redundant. It's generally clearer to use "is principally because" followed directly by the cause.