mainly good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is predominantly positive or favorable, while acknowledging that there may be some negative aspects. Example: "The feedback from the project was mainly good, with most clients expressing satisfaction with the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"So it's mainly good but sometimes it's not".

Independent

Race relations are mainly good, but there are simmering resentments.

The Economist

That's the other brilliant thing about this programme, it is mainly good news.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The content of his speech, mainly good wishes and appeals for people to work together, broke no new ground.

The Economist

The trends are mainly good in the word's most struggling places — reprising findings from a year ago.

The New York Times

This is not Mr. Pacino's first swing at Herod; he played the role on Broadway in 1992, getting mainly good reviews for his flamboyant approach.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Mr. Guttenberg's direction of "Cat," which opens today in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, is competent and unadorned, bringing out whatever qualities the text possesses -- mainly good-naturedness.

The New York Times

Women were crying in the streets (mainly good-looking women), a lot of middle-aged Negroes looked sad and very worried, and then we all sat around in gloom and watched the television set for the next seventy-two hours.

The New Yorker

As a result, the sectors that must be encouraged by the Colombian State are manufactured intermediate goods, mainly goods in the chemical industry.

Journal of Economic Structures

Although the clubs are inescapable rivals, the rivalry is mainly "good-natured" and has had beneficial effects.

Wikipedia

By the time he was 23, it was clear he had mainly just lacked for good opportunities.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mainly good", be prepared to briefly address the exceptions or less positive aspects to provide a balanced view. For example: "The project's outcome was "mainly good", although there were minor delays in the initial phase."

Common error

Avoid using "mainly good" as a vague statement without providing context. Instead of saying "The results were mainly good", specify which aspects were positive and which weren't, such as "The results were "mainly good" in terms of efficiency, but less so in terms of user interface."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly good" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It is used to qualify a noun, indicating that the noun possesses predominantly positive attributes while acknowledging the presence of some less desirable aspects. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses a predominantly positive sentiment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mainly good" is a useful expression for conveying a generally positive assessment while acknowledging the existence of minor imperfections. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science domains. When using this phrase, it's best practice to briefly mention the specific positive aspects, as well as any less favorable elements, to provide a balanced and informative description. Alternatives such as "largely positive" and "mostly favorable" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Be careful, however, not to use "mainly good" without providing sufficient context or specificity as Ludwig recommends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely positive

Focuses on the positive aspect being of considerable extent or degree.

mostly favorable

Emphasizes that the majority of opinions or outcomes are favorable.

generally beneficial

Highlights the overall helpful or advantageous nature.

predominantly advantageous

Stresses the prevailing advantageous qualities.

chiefly positive

Indicates that the positive aspect is the primary one.

primarily satisfactory

Suggests the main aspect is meeting expectations or requirements.

substantially sound

Implies a considerable degree of being well-founded or reliable.

fundamentally acceptable

Underlines the basic level of agreement or approval.

largely unproblematic

Highlights the relative absence of issues or difficulties.

more good than bad

Directly compares the positive and negative aspects, favoring the former.

FAQs

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

You can use "mainly good" to describe something that is generally positive but has some minor drawbacks. For example, "The reviews for the new restaurant are "mainly good", with customers praising the food but noting the slow service".

What are some alternatives to saying "mainly good"?

You can use alternatives like "largely positive", "mostly favorable", or "generally beneficial" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "mainly good" or "completely good"?

"Mainly good" implies that there are some minor issues or drawbacks, while "completely good" suggests that something is perfect. The choice depends on whether there are any negative aspects to acknowledge. It is more honest to use "mainly good" if something is not perfect.

What does "mainly good" suggest about the thing being described?

It suggests that the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones, but that some imperfections or areas for improvement still exist. It provides a more nuanced and realistic assessment compared to simply saying something is "good".