mainly concerned with

USAGE SUMMARY

'mainly concerned with' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate focus or emphasis and can be used in any context when discussing topics or activities. For example, "The report was mainly concerned with outlining the implications of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both cases were mainly concerned with sabotage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Early on, Docomomo was mainly concerned with preservation techniques.

The New York Times - Arts

Vincent du Vigneaud's research was mainly concerned with sulfur-containing compounds of biochemical importance.

Cornell University

And even if we had it now, the FAA is mainly concerned with domestic airspace.

The Washington Post

Unlike the drive-by review, the critic is mainly concerned with the writer, not the reader.

The New Yorker

It is therefore mainly concerned with the stabilization rather than the administrative aspects of the budget.

Britannica

Other industries are mainly concerned with processing raw cotton and other agricultural products.

Britannica

Levi was mainly concerned with the 1950s, however, not the recent past.

The Guardian - Books

"We're mainly concerned with our major competitors," said Todd Clay, a spokesman for Delta Air Lines.

The New York Times

Kate Adie knows why war reporting is mainly concerned with armed conflict.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Men are mainly concerned with misleading ads, which accounted for 64% of total complaints.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mainly concerned with", ensure that the rest of your sentence clearly specifies what the subject is primarily focused on to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly concerned with" without a specific subject; clarify who or what is doing the concerning to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly concerned with" functions as a linking phrase to indicate the primary focus, interest, or subject matter of something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly concerned with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the primary focus or area of interest. Ludwig examples show its versatility across different domains. While it's acceptable across different writing styles, the phrase tends to be more prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. Using the phrase effectively involves clearly specifying the subject of concern to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily focused on

Emphasizes the initial or principal focus.

primarily interested in

Focuses on the main area of interest or curiosity.

mostly involved with

Suggests the greatest degree of involvement or activity.

essentially dealing with

Emphasizes the fundamental or core subject matter.

largely dedicated to

Highlights a significant commitment or allocation of resources.

principally directed at

Highlights the primary target or aim.

chiefly invested in

Suggests a major investment or involvement in something.

generally centered on

Implies that the core topic revolves around something.

mainly preoccupied by

Indicates a state of being predominantly absorbed or engrossed.

significantly oriented towards

Highlights a notable direction or alignment.

FAQs

How can I use "mainly concerned with" in a sentence?

Use "mainly concerned with" to indicate the primary focus or preoccupation of a subject. For example, "The study was mainly concerned with the effects of climate change".

What's a formal alternative to "mainly concerned with"?

In formal contexts, consider using "primarily focused on" or "principally directed at" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "mainly concerned on" instead of "mainly concerned with"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "mainly concerned" is "with". Saying "mainly concerned on" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "largely concerned with" and "mainly concerned with"?

While both phrases indicate a significant focus, "mainly concerned with" suggests a primary focus, whereas "largely concerned with" implies a substantial but potentially not exclusive focus.