it mostly is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it mostly is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is generally true or applicable, but with some exceptions or nuances. Example: "In terms of reliability, it mostly is the best option available on the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

In the context of choice of childcare, maternal age is used as a more specific variable, although its effect is sometimes significant (Barnes et al. 2006), it mostly is not (Fram and Kim 2008; Sylva et al. 2007; Zachrisson et al. 2013).

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Funny thing: in "2030" it mostly is.

The New York Times - Books

Of course it has to be functional and it mostly is.

Independent

For the Blair-Brown team which is what it mostly is, despite their rivalry has been storing up trouble for the future.

The Economist

They still think of money as being pieces of green paper, rather than what it mostly is now, zeroes and ones in some server somewhere.

The New York Times

All the Caucasian economies are now picking up, after collapsing with the Soviet Union even corrupt Armenia's, dependent though it mostly is on remittances.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It mostly was cute and additive.

Forbes

And it mostly wasn't.

TechCrunch

It's mostly been clothes.

The Guardian - Money

It's mostly been forearm tightness.

The New York Times - Sports

So far it's mostly been expense.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it mostly is", follow it with a clarifying statement or example to specify when it may not be the case.

Common error

Avoid using "it mostly is" when describing something that is true in almost all instances, as this can make your statement sound less certain than it actually is. In such cases, a more definitive statement would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it mostly is" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating a qualified agreement or affirmation. It suggests that a statement is generally true, but with possible exceptions or limitations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it mostly is" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express a general truth with acknowledged exceptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, using this phrase indicates that something is generally true, but it is important to clarify potential exceptions to prevent misunderstanding. Related alternatives include "for the most part" or "generally true", which can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is for the most part

Emphasizes a majority, suggesting occasional deviations from the principal condition.

it is generally true

Indicates a widespread truth but allows for specific exceptions or counterexamples.

it is typically the case

Highlights how something aligns with usual expectations or observations.

it is largely the case

Emphasizes the extent to which something is true, highlighting its prevalence.

it is almost always true

Highlights the infrequency of exceptions or deviations from the presented truth.

it is predominantly so

Stresses that something is mainly true, with fewer exceptions than other alternatives.

it's primarily that way

Stresses the pre-eminence of a state or condition, implying occasional variance.

it is mainly the situation

Focuses on the idea that a particular state of affairs is the most common one.

that's broadly accurate

Affirms general correctness while acknowledging minor inaccuracies or oversimplifications.

that is substantially correct

Indicates a high degree of accuracy, while acknowledging the existence of small inaccuracies or exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "it mostly is" in a sentence?

Use "it mostly is" to indicate that something is generally true but not always. For example, "The weather here is usually sunny; "it mostly is", but we do get rain sometimes".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "it mostly is"?

Similar phrases include "for the most part", "generally true", or "largely the case". Each of these suggests a general truth with potential exceptions.

Is "it mostly is" formal or informal?

"It mostly is" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.

When should I avoid using "it mostly is"?

Avoid using "it mostly is" when describing something that is nearly always true, as it may introduce unnecessary uncertainty. In such cases, a more definitive statement is preferable.