it was main

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was main" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey that something was the primary or most important aspect, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "In the end, it was the main reason for our success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

IT was Main Street, U.S.A., as much as it was Main Street, Southampton.

The New York Times

It was main raw material of Chinese herbal toothpaste called "liangmianzhen", and it is also used for some preparations, such as Jinji Tablet, Dieda Wanhua Oil.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

While it was main spawning time in May 1988, August 1991 corresponds to the late spawning season [ 7].

BMC Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The i might have meant many things, but it's main purpose was the internet.

Independent

So it's main competitor is probably Google search.

TechCrunch

It's main competitor in this space is Wix.

TechCrunch

How does the government realize it's main responsibility?

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

It's main brands are 1&1, GMX, WEB.de, united-domains, Fasthosts, InterNetX, Sedo and affilinet.

TechCrunch

Bambuser remains independent while it's main competitor, Qik, was recently acquired by Skype.

TechCrunch

Llustre is probably pushing at an open door in Europe, it's main market.

TechCrunch

Of it's main direct competitors Ad-x was acquired by Criteo.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it was main" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "it was the main" or "it was the primary" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Do not directly follow "it was" with the adjective "main". Always include a determiner like "the" or "a" (if applicable) before the adjective to form a grammatically correct phrase, such as "it was the main reason".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was main" is intended to function as a statement identifying the primary or most important aspect of something. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as grammatically incorrect, needing an article before "main".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was main" is grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase requires an article (such as "the") before "main" to be grammatically sound. Although some examples can be found across various sources, including news and scientific publications, it's essential to use corrected alternatives like "it was the main" or "it was the primary" to maintain clarity and credibility. Remember to prioritize grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was the primary

Replaces "main" with "primary", providing a more grammatically sound and direct equivalent.

it was the key

Substitutes "main" with "key", emphasizing the essential or crucial nature of the subject.

it was the principal

Replaces "main" with "principal", indicating the most important or leading factor.

it was the chief

Employs "chief" instead of "main", highlighting the most significant or prominent element.

it was the central

Uses "central" in place of "main", stressing the core or pivotal aspect.

it was the foremost

Replaces "main" with "foremost", suggesting the most prominent or important position.

it was the leading

Substitutes "main" with "leading", highlighting the guiding or directing role.

it was the dominant

Uses "dominant" instead of "main", emphasizing the prevailing or controlling influence.

it was the overriding

Replaces "main" with "overriding", stressing the superior or prevailing importance.

it was the preeminent

Substitutes "main" with "preeminent", highlighting the superior or outstanding quality.

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "main" after "it was"?

Always include a determiner before "main", such as "the" or "a", depending on the context. For example, "it was the main reason" or "it was a main concern."

What are some alternatives to "it was main" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases like "it was the primary", "it was the key", or "it was the principal" to convey a similar meaning with better grammar.

Is "it was main" ever considered correct in English?

No, "it was main" is not considered correct in standard written English. It lacks a necessary article and sounds awkward. Use "it was the main" instead.

What's the difference between "it was main" and "it was the main"?

"It was main" is grammatically incorrect. "It was the main" is the correct way to express that something was the most important or principal thing. The addition of "the" makes the sentence grammatically sound.