mainly of

USAGE SUMMARY

"mainly of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is composed, composed mainly, or composed primarily of a certain thing. For example: The soup was made mainly of potatoes, carrots, and onions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women mainly, of course.

The New Yorker

They are descendants, mainly, of shipwrecked mariners.

The New Yorker

Exports are mainly of copra and fish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is thinking mainly of Turkey.

The Economist

The first wave consisted mainly of men.

The New York Times

The vegetation consists mainly of thorn trees.

The Guardian

Meals consist mainly of frozen or dehydrated food.

The New York Times - Sports

That is because the audience consists, mainly, of investors.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead government officials speak mainly of the drone program's successes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The building was constructed throughout mainly of wood.

The Guardian

Architecture, after all, consists mainly of abstract forms.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainly of" to clearly indicate the primary component or composition of something. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the most significant element being described.

Common error

While "mainly of" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for stronger, more precise synonyms like "primarily composed of" or "chiefly consisting of" to enhance the sophistication of your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the primary constituent or composition of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, highlighting that it's used to specify the dominant element within a whole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainly of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the primary composition of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources such as news media, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While applicable in many scenarios, writers should consider more precise synonyms like "primarily of" or "chiefly consisting of" for highly formal contexts. Remember, while useful, don't overuse "mainly of". Its prevalence underscores its importance in clearly indicating the main elements of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly of

Replaces 'mainly' with 'mostly', a direct synonym implying the largest part or proportion.

primarily of

Substitutes 'mainly' with 'primarily', emphasizing the fundamental or most important component.

largely of

Uses 'largely' instead of 'mainly', suggesting a significant portion or extent.

principally of

Employs 'principally' to highlight the chief or foremost element in the composition.

predominantly of

Replaces 'mainly' with 'predominantly', indicating a prevailing or dominant presence.

chiefly of

Uses 'chiefly' to point out the most important or influential component.

essentially of

Substitutes 'mainly' with 'essentially', focusing on the basic or intrinsic nature.

composed of

Changes the structure to emphasize the ingredients that make up something, rather than focusing on the primary component.

constituted of

Similar to 'composed of', but suggests a more formal or structured arrangement of elements.

consists of

Shifts the focus to what the whole is made of, instead of emphasizing the dominant component.

FAQs

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

Use "mainly of" to describe what something is primarily composed of. For instance, "The dish was mainly of rice and vegetables" indicates that rice and vegetables were the primary ingredients.

What are some alternatives to "mainly of"?

Alternatives include "mostly of", "primarily of", or "largely of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "mainly of" or should I use "mainly composed of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "mainly of" is more concise. "Mainly composed of" may be preferable in formal contexts where greater emphasis on the composition is desired.

What's the difference between "mainly of" and "partly of"?

"Mainly of" indicates that something consists primarily of a specific component, while "partly of" suggests that the component is just one of several, without being dominant.