it was a main

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a main" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to refer to something significant or primary, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "In the discussion, it was a main point that everyone agreed upon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The new college is central to efforts to revive local industry, which has suffered from the downgrading of the ferry terminal since its heyday in the 1960s, when it was a main gateway for British tourists heading to Paris and the rest of Europe.

Independent

It was a main ingredient in Warhol's, too.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a main precipitating incident to the American Civil War.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a main dish, but it also turned up, in thick wodges, in someone's lunch box the next day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It has become the centerpiece of the yearlong popular lawyers' movement, and it was a main issue during campaigning for the parliamentary elections in February.

The New York Times

"It was difficult to change their way of thinking and living, in regards to harvesting wildlife, especially as it was a main source of income for many families".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

However, the role of TIMP-2 is ambiguous since, in addition to its inhibitory effect, it is a main player in the MMP-2 activation cascade [ 13].

Breast Cancer Research

In the gain pathway, an intermediate role was assigned to +20q, whereas in our analysis it is a main trigger in agreement with its putative biological role.

Bioinformatics

It is a main gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park (northwest) and the Roosevelt National Forest (west).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a main food crop in Afghanistan, Mr. Jami said, but war has damaged his international sales.

The New York Times - Food

It is a main pillar, but not the sole component, of the recent rebellion against Mali's central government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the importance of something, use more grammatically accepted alternatives like "key", "major", or "primary" instead of the awkward phrase "it was a main".

Common error

Avoid using "it was a main" because it sounds unnatural and is not grammatically standard. Opt for clearer expressions to enhance your writing's professionalism and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a main" functions as a subject complement, attempting to describe a noun by attributing a quality or characteristic. However, the phrasing is grammatically awkward and doesn't conform to standard English usage, as Ludwig AI points out.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While "it was a main" is used, as evidenced by Ludwig, its grammatical awkwardness makes it a less desirable choice. Ludwig AI correctly identifies this issue. Opting for alternatives like "it was a key", "it was a major", or "it was a primary" ensures clarity and grammatical correctness, strengthening the overall impact of your writing. Remember to tailor your choice to the specific context and desired level of formality. Though occasionally present in news, encyclopedias and scientific publications, these alternatives offer improved professionalism and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a key

This alternative replaces "main" with "key", offering a more direct and grammatically sound way to express importance.

it was a major

Using "major" instead of "main" provides a more standard and widely accepted phrasing to indicate significance.

it was a primary

Substituting "main" with "primary" offers a formal synonym that denotes the highest level of importance or priority.

it was a central

Replacing "main" with "central" emphasizes the pivotal role or position of something.

it was a leading

Using "leading" instead of "main" suggests that something is at the forefront or is the most important in a particular context.

it was a principal

Substituting "main" with "principal" offers a formal synonym that denotes first or highest in rank, importance, or value.

it was an important

This option directly replaces "main" with "important", making the sentence grammatically correct and clear.

it was a significant

Using "significant" instead of "main" indicates considerable importance or impact.

it was a crucial

Substituting "main" with "crucial" emphasizes the critical or essential nature of something.

it was a critical

Replacing "main" with "critical" underscores the decisive or vitally important aspect of something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was a main"?

You can use alternatives like "it was a key", "it was a major", or "it was a primary" depending on the context.

Why is "it was a main" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "it was a main" doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. It's better to use adjectives like "key", "major", or "primary" which are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning more clearly.

How can I use "it was a key" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "During the discussion, it was a key point that everyone agreed upon."

Is there a difference in formality between "it was a major" and "it was a primary"?

"It was a major" is generally suitable for most contexts, while "it was a primary" leans towards a more formal tone. Choose the one that best fits the overall style of your writing.