mainly saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when summarizing or emphasizing the primary point or message of a statement or discussion. Example: "In his speech, he was mainly saying that we need to focus on sustainability for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In emails to The Huffington Post, retailers and fast-food chains were muted in their reaction, mainly saying they were reviewing their options and preparing to comply with the health law known as the Affordable Care Act.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Boredom, mainly," says Roberts, twitching.

The Guardian - Sport

This is mainly said by Gary Hart".

The New York Times - Books

Urban voters, mainly said no; those rural ones who bothered to vote strongly said yes.

The Economist

"Mainly," says Lanchester, "they were funny smells to do with things which were just too good to be true".

The Guardian - Books

From pickled eggs, mainly," says the other, in a passionate whisper we cannot hear above the soundtrack.

The Guardian - Music

"I just chalked it up to bad luck, mainly," said Ms. Bowers, a sales director for Lucent Technologies who lives with her family in Livingston, N.J.

The New York Times - Health

The small group of people who liked renting mainly said they preferred the flexibility of their arrangements or were between homes of another tenure.

Independent

At least 750 people have been killed in Karachi this year, mainly, says the MQM, as a result of attacks on itself by a breakaway faction.

The Economist

'It's black-and-white hand-held footage, mainly,' says Gordon, 'and it is shot in a form that is not dissimilar to the photographs he took at the time - impressionistic, free-form and often incredibly detailed.

The Guardian - Arts

I would do pretend tours to my friends; put on a special voice mainly say things like "… and in a terrible fit of illness he murdered his wife in this very chair!" and just make up silly stories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainly saying" to succinctly summarize the essence of someone's statement, particularly when a more detailed explanation follows.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly saying" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms like "primarily stating" or "chiefly articulating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly saying" functions as a qualifier and summarizer. It's used to indicate the primary message or point being conveyed in a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly saying" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for highlighting the core message of a statement. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct to use. While versatile, it finds its primary use in neutral contexts like news and media. When writing, consider whether a more formal synonym might be suitable for academic or professional settings. Related phrases include "primarily stating" and "chiefly expressing", offering similar nuances with slightly different connotations. By understanding these contexts, you can effectively use the phrase "mainly saying" to communicate with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily stating

Emphasizes the foremost aspect of the statement, similar to "mainly" but with a slightly more formal tone.

chiefly expressing

Highlights the principal form of communication, indicating what is being conveyed at its core.

largely asserting

Indicates that the majority of what is being conveyed is an assertion or declaration.

generally indicating

Suggests an overall direction or point, conveying the general sense of the communication.

mostly conveying

Highlights that the majority of the communication is focused on transmitting a particular idea or message.

primarily communicating

Focuses on the main form of passing information or thoughts.

mainly articulating

Emphasizes the action of expressing something clearly and verbally as the main point.

primarily pointing out

Highlights the main thing being brought to someone's attention.

mostly mentioning

Suggests that the core of the communication involved bringing up particular details or topics.

chiefly remarking

Highlights the principal comment or observation being made.

FAQs

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

You can use "mainly saying" to summarize the primary point of a longer statement. For example, "The speaker was "mainly saying" that more funding is needed for research".

What are some alternatives to "mainly saying"?

Some alternatives include "primarily stating", "chiefly expressing", or "largely asserting" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "mainly saying" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "mainly saying" might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using a more formal synonym for increased precision.

What's the difference between "mainly saying" and "primarily stating"?

"Mainly saying" is more general, while "primarily stating" suggests a more deliberate and formal declaration.