mainly composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'mainly composed of' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is mostly made of a particular thing or is mostly composed from a particular set of items. For example, you could say "The dress was mainly composed of silk and lace".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The island is mainly composed of marble.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fungal cell wall is mainly composed of structural polysaccharides.

Nature

The rapt audience was mainly composed of older Cambodians.

Independent

Our work is mainly composed of three different parts.

Microelectronics Reliability

It's full of respectable businessmen" – but like the first story, it's mainly composed of interiors.

The Guardian - Film

Saladini: "A unique salad mainly composed of thousands of sprouts... Eat out of hand".

The New Yorker

Cosmic rays are mainly composed of galactic and solar particles.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

His daily life is mainly composed of, as he puts it, "walking around".

The New Yorker

The musical ensemble is mainly composed of wind, stringed, and percussion instruments.

Britannica

No, not the metallic element nickel; our 5-cent coin is mainly composed of copper.

The New York Times

Gas condensate is mainly composed of highly valued hydrocarbons.

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the composition of physical objects or abstract concepts, ensure that "mainly composed of" is followed by specific and accurate descriptions of the constituent parts. For instance, specify the exact materials or elements involved to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly composed of" when describing characteristics that are not essential to the fundamental composition of something. For example, stating that a book is "mainly composed of interesting stories" is less effective than saying it's "mainly composed of paper and ink" because the physical materials are the core components.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly composed of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as a post-modifier to a noun. It describes the primary components or constituents of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly composed of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that describes the primary constituents of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It appears most often in scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. For similar expressions, consider "primarily made up of" or "largely consists of". Remember to use it to describe essential components rather than superficial attributes. These recommendations should guide you in effectively using "mainly composed of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily made up of

Replaces "composed" with "made up", which has a slightly more informal tone.

largely consists of

Uses "consists" instead of "composed", focusing on the components that something is made from.

chiefly comprised of

Employs "comprised" indicating inclusion, and "chiefly" suggesting a dominant element, creating a more formal tone.

mostly constituted by

Substitutes "composed" with "constituted", implying a formal arrangement or structure.

predominantly formed by

Replaces "composed" with "formed", which focuses on the process of creation or assembly. "Predominantly" suggests a stronger emphasis on the major components.

substantially built from

Suggests a construction or assembly process with a focus on the materials used.

fundamentally structured around

Implies a deeper, more essential composition, often used for abstract concepts.

essentially based on

Focuses on the foundational elements or principles that something is built upon.

overwhelmingly dominated by

Highlights a strong imbalance in composition, where one element greatly outweighs others.

peculiarly characterized by

Shifts focus to unique or distinctive components, implying a specific defining feature.

FAQs

How can I use "mainly composed of" in a sentence?

Use "mainly composed of" to indicate the primary components of something. For example, "The atmosphere of Mars is mainly composed of carbon dioxide."

What are some alternatives to "mainly composed of"?

Alternatives include "primarily made up of", "largely consists of", or "chiefly comprised of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "mainly consists of" instead of "mainly composed of"?

Yes, "mainly consists of" is a correct and semantically similar alternative. Both phrases indicate the primary elements that constitute something. The choice depends on stylistic preference.

What is the difference between "mainly composed of" and "partially composed of"?

"Mainly composed of" indicates that something is primarily made of certain elements, whereas "partially composed of" suggests those elements are only some of the components and may not be dominant.