largely yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely yes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a strong agreement or affirmation, while also suggesting that there may be some exceptions or nuances. Example: "Do you think the project will be completed on time? Largely yes, but we need to address a few outstanding issues first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By designing a checklist which was largely "yes or no" in available responses, we tried to minimise subjective interpretative difficulties.

BMC Public Health

Unfortunately, across the college football, the answer was largely yes.

The New York Times - Sports

1) First, the introduction makes it clear that much official and scholarly literature to date about pastoral communities has repeatedly asked, in endless debate, whether pastoralists live beyond state control, have their own formal governance structures, and/or live sustainable lifestyles (no, yes, and largely yes) (p. 6 10).

Pastoralism

Or is it enough that a large - and largely Yes -crowd had an engaging and enthusing evening of discussion that went far beyond the party political?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Anticipating questions about the deal, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, the committee chairman, opened the questioning by leading Mr. Perez through a series of largely yes-or-no queries designed to rebut the Republican report.

The New York Times

All other questions in the experience questionnaire had one of the following response categories 'never-sometimes-usually-always', 'no not at all-somewhat-largely-yes completely'none-some-most-allall', or one through ten for grades.

BMC Cancer

Shooting is largely inactive, yes, and in some respects better classified with darts as a leisure pursuit, but the modern pentathlon authorities have learned from the Winter Games' biathlon, and they now couple shooting with an aerobic component — in this case, running.

The New Yorker

Shooting is largely inactive, yes, and in some respects better classified with darts as a leisure pursuit, but the modern pentathlon authorities have learned from the Winter Games' biathlon, and they now couple shooting with an aerobic component in this case, running.

The New Yorker

The answer, largely, was yes but it may need a little time.

TechCrunch

The SGS inspection involved a one-day visit, largely seeking yes-no answers, probably for a modest fee.

The New York Times

She might have announced a change in her cabinet, which consists largely of yes-men more notable for their loyalty to her than their leadership skills, or simply acknowledged the existence of some undeniable problem, like crime or inflation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "largely yes" when you want to convey a positive answer while acknowledging that there might be exceptions or nuances. It is useful for checklist questions where a precise positive response is expected, but that has potential to be not 100% true.

Common error

Avoid using "largely yes" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise and detailed explanation might be more appropriate. In such cases, opt for stating the specific conditions or exceptions instead of relying on this general affirmation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely yes" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an affirmative response. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it qualifies the degree of affirmation, suggesting a generally positive answer with potential exceptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Largely yes" is a phrase used to express a generally affirmative response while acknowledging potential exceptions or nuances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, typically functioning as an adverbial modifier combined with an affirmative response. It's a useful way to convey agreement without implying a complete or unconditional endorsement. While "largely yes" is appropriate in varied contexts, including News & Media and Science, it should be used sparingly in formal or academic writing, where more precise explanations may be necessary. Alternatives include "mostly yes", "generally yes", and "yes, for the most part".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mostly yes

Replaces "largely" with "mostly", indicating a slightly stronger degree of agreement.

Generally yes

Substitutes "largely" with "generally", conveying a sense of overall agreement.

Yes, for the most part

Expresses agreement but explicitly acknowledges possible exceptions.

Yes, in most cases

Indicates agreement with the understanding that there might be instances where it doesn't apply.

Yes, but with caveats

Affirms agreement while signaling the existence of conditions or limitations.

Yes, with some exceptions

Expresses a positive response, but highlights that there are exceptions.

More or less, yes

Indicates a qualified agreement, suggesting a slight deviation from a complete affirmation.

Substantially yes

Replaces "largely" with "substantially", which implies a considerable degree of affirmation.

Predominantly yes

Emphasizes that the agreement is more prominent than any exceptions.

On the whole, yes

Implies that considering everything, the answer tends towards an affirmative one.

FAQs

What does "largely yes" mean?

"Largely yes" indicates a generally affirmative response, but implies there might be some exceptions, qualifications, or minor disagreements. It means something is mostly true or correct, but not entirely.

How can I use "largely yes" in a sentence?

You can use "largely yes" when answering a question or addressing a statement that is mostly true. For example, "Is the project on track? "Largely yes", but we are facing some minor delays."

Are there alternatives to "largely yes"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "mostly yes", "generally yes", or "yes, for the most part", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "largely yes"?

It is suitable to use "largely yes" when you agree with the overall premise or statement, but there are some exceptions or details that don't entirely align. Avoid using "largely yes" in situations where a precise and unambiguous answer is required.