mainly only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly only" is not standard in written English and may be considered redundant.
It can be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is primarily or exclusively of a certain nature, but it is better to choose one of the terms. Example: "The project is mainly only focused on improving user experience."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

In Iraq, there are mainly only American and British troops trying to stabilize the country.

The New York Times

Mainly, only mail and relief supplies are making it through, with a little room left over.

The New York Times

It is the world's most dangerous road, but luckily it is mainly only bikes that use it now, and it is so much fun! madness-bolivia.com Jimmy813.

The Guardian - Travel

It was mainly only discount chains, which had been expected to hold up a bit better than other types of stores, that were bustling long before sunrise.

The New York Times

Sather traded away a central figure on that team, Brandon Dubinsky, with others, for Rick Nash, a scoring star who scores mainly only in the regular season.

The New Yorker

The confessions, recorded by district attorneys and police departments during criminal investigations and made part of the public record after trials are over, will be edited mainly only for brevity and clarity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The learners are mainly but not only Orthodox.

The Economist

Adjuvant therapy was classified as no adjuvant, hormone therapy (mainly tamoxifen) only, chemotherapy only, and both hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

BMC Cancer

At Cauterets, the outermost pistes on the mountain bowl were closed, partly for fear of avalanche, but mainly because only the roof of the chairlift station remained visible.

The Guardian - Travel

IL-6 has mainly not only pro- but also anti-inflammatory actions and an important role in endothelial adhesion [ 10].

Disease Markers

But his country is mainly urban; only 12% of the population live in the enormous hinterland of llanos and jungle.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For improved clarity and conciseness, consider using "mainly" or "only" separately, or opt for a single word like "primarily" or "exclusively" instead of the redundant combination of "mainly only".

Common error

Be aware that using "mainly only" can sound repetitive. To enhance your writing style, choose the single word that best captures your intended meaning: either "mainly" to indicate a primary focus, or "only" to denote exclusivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly only" functions as an adverbial modifier, limiting or specifying the scope of a statement. It suggests a primary focus or near-exclusivity. Ludwig examples illustrate this across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

52%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mainly only" is used to indicate a primary focus or near-exclusivity. While commonly found across various sources, including news, scientific publications, and general web content, Ludwig AI suggests that using "mainly" or "only" separately, or opting for a more concise alternative like "primarily" or "exclusively", often enhances clarity and style. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, but due to its potential redundancy, careful consideration of context and more precise alternatives is recommended for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily only

Emphasizes the principal or chief aspect, suggesting a singular focus.

almost exclusively

Highlights near-total exclusivity, leaving very little room for exceptions.

largely confined to

Indicates that something is mostly limited to a specific area or scope.

mainly restricted to

Highlights a limitation or constraint on the primary area of effect.

predominantly just

Stresses a dominant and straightforward exclusivity.

chiefly just

Points to the main element that is exclusively for something.

mostly just

Highlights that something is majorly only a thing.

principally solely

Focuses on the main cause that it's exclusively something.

essentially just

Focuses on the exclusive essence of the topic.

almost solely

Highlight near-absolute exclusivity.

FAQs

Is "mainly only" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "mainly only" is often considered redundant. It's more concise and stylistically preferable to use either "mainly" or "only" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. Ludwig AI suggests choosing one of these options for better clarity.

What does "mainly only" mean?

The phrase "mainly only" suggests something is primarily or almost exclusively of a certain type or in a certain state. However, it's often better to use a single word that expresses this idea more directly, like "primarily" or "exclusively".

How can I replace "mainly only" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can substitute "mainly only" with phrases like "primarily", "mostly", "largely", or "almost exclusively". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "mainly" or "only" instead of "mainly only"?

Yes, it's generally better to use either "mainly" or "only" instead of the combination "mainly only". "Mainly" suggests a primary focus, while "only" indicates exclusivity. Using one of these words provides a cleaner and more direct expression. For example, instead of "The focus is mainly only on user experience", consider "The focus is "mainly" on user experience" or "The focus is "only" on user experience".