largely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "largely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as an adverb to indicate to a large degree or extent. For example: "This project was largely completed with minimal effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I expected that some would object to my participation in an annual forum that is largely comprised of softball questions to a leader unaccustomed to being challenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're largely dependent on whistleblowers – normally disillusioned chuggers – to enlighten us, as in last year's investigation by Dispatches.

The Guardian - Opinion

The brewery closed in 1988 and was largely demolished.

The Guardian - Travel

Verbal and written feedback from patients has been largely very positive and measures of depression and anxiety on average show a significant reduction following the course.

The Guardian

Method: Attempts to tackle the resulting problem of soil fertility have largely flopped so far.

The Guardian

Instead it's a land inhabited by continental-style bars and cafes, with a cuisine that's largely Asian, Mediterranean or Japanese and a decor dictated by Ikea-chic.

The Guardian - Film

But while rural dwellers in particular chafe at restrictions and heavy-handed enforcement – which has included forced abortions – many in cities are used to the policy and seem largely indifferent, or like the idea of increasing their families but worry about the financial impact.

The Guardian

There's the opportunity to take a ferry to spy some of the largely inaccessible mountains that sit next to the take, or you can go for a paddle yourself.

The Guardian - Travel

As part of the R2 project we created a variety of templates which could be switched in largely at will.

The Guardian

Because the money is a one-off and must be spent immediately, councils will use it largely to buy in extra services such as care agency support for people in their own homes and short-term places in residential homes.

The Guardian

So far, the RBA has generally erred on the side of fighting rising house prices first, leaving the sluggish economy and worryingly high level of unemployment largely to run its course.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely", ensure the context clearly indicates what constitutes the 'large' portion or extent being referenced. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "largely" when the actual portion is only slightly above average. Ensure that the 'large' portion is significantly more than half, otherwise, consider alternatives like "somewhat" or "partly".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "largely" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the extent or degree to which something is true or occurs. It serves to qualify a statement, suggesting that it applies in most cases but not necessarily entirely. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "largely" functions as an adverb indicating that something is mainly or mostly the case. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile, predominantly used in news and media contexts to qualify statements and avoid absolute assertions. While alternatives like "mostly", "mainly", and "primarily" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you intend to convey. When using "largely", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly

Indicates the greatest part or proportion; very similar in meaning, suggesting predominance.

for the most part

A longer phrase with equivalent meaning; offers a slightly more formal tone.

mainly

Signifies the principal element or factor; slightly emphasizes importance over pure quantity.

primarily

Emphasizes the fundamental or initial aspect; suggests a core reason or element.

in the main

Implies a primary aspect, similar to 'mainly,' but slightly less common.

predominantly

Highlights the prevailing or strongest element; can suggest a more forceful presence.

to a great extent

Highlights the degree or scope; less direct and more descriptive.

generally

Indicates common or widespread occurrence, but not necessarily the greatest part.

on the whole

Suggests a comprehensive view; implies an overall assessment.

by and large

An idiomatic expression similar to "generally"; carries a more conversational tone.

FAQs

How can I use "largely" in a sentence?

You can use "largely" to indicate that something is mainly or mostly true, such as "The project was "largely" successful" or "The population is "largely" indifferent to the new policy".

What words can I use instead of "largely"?

Alternatives to "largely" include "mostly", "mainly", "primarily", or "generally", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the problem is largely solved"?

Yes, "the problem is "largely" solved" is grammatically correct and means that most of the problem has been resolved, but some aspects may still need attention.

What's the difference between "largely" and "partly"?

"Largely" indicates a significant portion or degree, while "partly" suggests a smaller or incomplete portion. For example, "The dish is "largely" composed of vegetables" implies vegetables are the main ingredient, whereas "The dish is "partly" composed of vegetables" means vegetables are just one component.