mainly among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly among" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily or predominantly found within a specific group or category. Example: "The findings of the study were mainly among young adults, highlighting their unique perspectives on social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ebola was spread mainly among family members.

The New Yorker

Mice do fight, mainly among themselves.

Stanford University

Mr. Hubbard's work is known mainly among economists.

The New York Times

It is therefore found mainly among higher animals.

Britannica

It occurred mainly among the lower orders of Parisian society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her contacts were mainly among the English-speaking elite.

The New York Times - Travel

Life expectancies have reached record high values mainly among populations in developed societies.

Princeton University

China has had previous cases of plague, a disease that circulates mainly among small animals.

The New York Times

About 155 cases were diagnosed last year, mainly among immigrants and homeless people, Mr. Valenzuela said.

The New York Times

Whatever the outcome, Mr. Ouattara's base is mainly among Muslim northerners.

The New York Times

In New York, its use was mainly among patrons of gay clubs in Manhattan, until recently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mainly among", ensure the context clearly defines the group or category being referenced. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity about the primary association.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly among" when the association is not truly predominant. Using it loosely can mislead readers into thinking the connection is stronger than it actually is. Use qualifiers such as "often", "frequently" or "to some extent" to be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly among" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, specifying the primary group or category within which something occurs or exists. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly among" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts. It serves to highlight primary associations within specific groups. Usage is most prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for broad application. When writing with "mainly among", be sure to define the group clearly and avoid overstating exclusivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily within

Focuses on spatial containment or scope rather than distribution.

largely amongst

Uses a different preposition ("amongst" instead of "among") while retaining similar meaning.

mostly within

Replaces "mainly" with "mostly", which expresses a high degree of occurrence but not necessarily exclusivity.

predominantly among

Uses a more formal synonym for "mainly", emphasizing the dominant nature of the association.

chiefly within

Replaces "mainly" with "chiefly", indicating principal or foremost importance.

principally among

Similar to 'chiefly among', suggesting the main reason or cause relates to this group.

for the most part within

Adds a qualifier ('for the most part') softening the exclusivity of the association.

generally within

Indicates a widespread occurrence but allows for more exceptions than "mainly".

typically within

Suggests a common or usual association, but not necessarily the most frequent.

commonly among

Highlights frequency of the association but implies less exclusivity.

FAQs

How can I use "mainly among" in a sentence?

Use "mainly among" to show that something is primarily found or occurs within a specific group. For example, "The disease spread "mainly among" family members."

What is a good alternative to "mainly among"?

Alternatives include "primarily within", "largely amongst", or "mostly within" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "mainly between" instead of "mainly among"?

"Mainly between" implies a focus on the relationship or distinction between two entities, whereas "mainly among" focuses on the prevalence within a group of three or more. Use "mainly between" when comparing two things and "mainly among" when referring to a group.

What's the difference between "mainly among" and "common among"?

"Mainly among" suggests that something is primarily or predominantly found within a particular group, whereas "common among" simply indicates that something is frequently found within that group, without necessarily being the most prevalent occurrence. The level of emphasis on primary association is different.