mainly engaged in

USAGE SUMMARY

'mainly engaged in' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or situation that a person or organization is mostly focused on. For example, "The local animal shelter is mainly engaged in rescuing and fostering stray cats and dogs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The UK has 450 troops in Afghanistan, mainly engaged in officer training in Kabul.

The Guardian

Its present population, still predominantly Nupe, is mainly engaged in farming.

Britannica

From the 1950s onward, he was mainly engaged in poetry translation.

Britannica

In 1797 he entered the Spanish military forces, which then were mainly engaged in exterminating bandits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The local operating companies are now seven independently owned regional holding companies mainly engaged in providing local telephone service.

The New York Times

For $9 monthly, viewers can watch her and a half-dozen friends at home, mainly engaged in relatively prosaic activities like typing topless.

The New York Times - Style

From 2007 onward, the ASG has mainly engaged in kidnapping activities, often threatening to behead hostages unless a ransom is paid.

Stanford University

Practice-oriented schools will be staffed by experienced lawyers; … research institutions will be staffed by scholars mainly engaged in research; other schools will be staffed by both types".

The New York Times

Not too long ago, the amateur sleuths and professional lawmen who police these regional mysteries were mainly engaged in rooting out individuals who threatened the collective good of the community.

The New York Times - Books

There is a strong link between music and dance, embodied by a vocalist, Kristin Plumley, who sang Schubert at one point but mainly engaged in wordless vocalizing by the composer Michael Grigsby.

The New York Times - Arts

From Berkhamsted school, Hertfordshire, Stephen went to Stowe school, Buckinghamshire, and in 1942 was conscripted into the Royal Navy, where he was mainly engaged in anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization's activities, use "mainly engaged in" to clearly communicate its core function or purpose. For example: "The company is "mainly engaged in" renewable energy production."

Common error

While "mainly engaged in" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "primarily involved in" or "chiefly occupied with" to maintain reader engagement and stylistic flair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly engaged in" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying the primary activity or role of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing focused activities, aligning with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainly engaged in" is a versatile phrase used to denote the primary activity or focus of a subject. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse fields like science, news, and business. While versatile, writers should vary expressions for stylistic purposes in formal contexts. The phrase effectively communicates the core function or occupation of a subject, making it a valuable tool for clear and concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily involved in

Focuses more on the action of being involved, rather than an ongoing state of engagement.

chiefly occupied with

Suggests a stronger sense of busyness and dedication to the activity.

largely focused on

Emphasizes the focus or concentration on a particular area or task.

predominantly working on

Highlights the work aspect and the majority of time spent on something.

primarily dedicated to

Implies a sense of commitment and devotion to the activity.

mostly concerned with

Indicates a focus on issues or matters of importance related to the activity.

principally active in

Highlights the active role and main area of involvement.

primarily functioning as

Focuses on the role or purpose served by being engaged in something.

mainly occupied by

Emphasizes what takes up most of the time or attention.

significantly involved with

Indicates the degree of implication on certain thing.

FAQs

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

Use "mainly engaged in" to describe the primary activity or focus of a person, group, or organization. For example: "The research team is "mainly engaged in" studying climate change."

What are some alternatives to "mainly engaged in"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily involved in", "chiefly occupied with", or "largely focused on" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "mainly engaging in" instead of "mainly engaged in"?

While "mainly engaging in" is grammatically acceptable, "mainly engaged in" is more common when describing an ongoing or established activity. "Engaging in" implies a more active or ongoing process, whereas "engaged in" suggests a state of being involved.

How does "mainly engaged in" differ from "partly engaged in"?

"Mainly engaged in" indicates the primary activity, while "partly engaged in" suggests it is only one of several activities. "Mainly" implies it is the chief or primary occupation, while "partly" suggests it is a secondary or lesser activity.