mainly based on

USAGE SUMMARY

"mainly based on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is based on something else. For example, "This project is mainly based on our previous research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The song's concept is mainly based on one person's failure.

Wikipedia

PPNews is mainly based on preference-based approach.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

I trade mainly based on volatility and volume.

The Guardian - Business

Brög's pictures were mainly based on vinyl discs.

The Guardian

Handicapping is mainly based on breed, age, and sex.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My position is mainly based on the fact that our society absolutely needs these hospitals.

The New York Times

"The internal estimates for peaking carbon were always 2030, mainly based on when urbanisation would peak.

The Guardian

Because of the difficulty of measuring the brain, psychiatric diagnoses are still mainly based on symptoms.

The New York Times

Global food waste estimates are mainly based on old statistics recycled into 'new' estimates.

The Guardian

The armed opposition to the Taliban inside Afghanistan, then, is mainly based on non-Pashtuns.

The New York Times

The strategies described were mainly based on experience.

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainly based on" to clearly indicate the primary factor or foundation, while acknowledging that other factors may also be involved.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly based on" when something is entirely based on something else. Use "entirely based on" or "solely based on" instead for complete dependence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly based on" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating the primary basis or foundation for something. Ludwig AI shows it's frequently used to express the core element upon which a concept, decision, or system relies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainly based on" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the primary foundation or determinant of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and widely used across varied contexts, most notably in scientific, news, and encyclopedia articles. While alternatives like "primarily grounded in" or "largely dependent on" exist, "mainly based on" provides a clear and direct way to express reliance on a key element. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects the primary, but not necessarily exclusive, basis. This phrase is a staple in formal writing, offering clarity and emphasis where needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily grounded in

Emphasizes a more fundamental or foundational basis.

largely dependent on

Highlights the reliance on something for its existence or function.

significantly reliant on

Highlights the importance of the reliance.

chiefly reliant upon

A more formal way of saying largely dependent.

principally derived from

Focuses on the origin or source from which something comes.

mostly predicated on

Indicates a logical or reasoned foundation.

substantially rooted in

Suggests a deep and significant origin or foundation.

heavily influenced by

Indicates that something has a strong impact on the subject.

fundamentally constructed upon

Emphasizes that something is built from the ground up on something else.

generally contingent on

Highlights the conditional nature of something depending on something else.

FAQs

How can I use "mainly based on" in a sentence?

You can use "mainly based on" to indicate the primary foundation or influence of something. For example, "The decision was mainly based on the available data."

What phrases are similar to "mainly based on"?

Alternatives include "primarily grounded in", "largely dependent on", or "chiefly reliant upon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "mainly based off of" instead of "mainly based on"?

While "based off of" is sometimes used informally, "mainly based on" is generally considered more standard and appropriate for formal writing.

What's the difference between "mainly based on" and "partly based on"?

"Mainly based on" suggests a primary influence, while "partly based on" suggests that something is only partially influenced, with other factors also contributing significantly.