mainly so that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly so that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary purpose or reason for an action or situation. Example: "She studied hard mainly so that she could pass the exam with flying colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In an interview, Mr. Hall said he was considering that, mainly so that the rule could be made permanent in federal law.

The New York Times

I too wanted to get to the Plain of Jars, though at the moment mainly so that I could be released from our lurching vehicle.

The New York Times - Travel

He pleaded guilty, it seems, mainly so that Jesse Friedman, who helped teach the computer classes, would not have to stand trial with him and be tainted by his father's association with child pornography.

The New York Times

This is mainly so that drivers can defend themselves against fraudulent insurance claims.It may be in medicine and the care of the elderly, though, that wearable cameras will spread quickest.

The Economist

A courtesan, Diao Chan, purposefully beguiles two men, Lu Bu and the evil minister Dong Zhuo, mainly so that she can persuade Lu to kill Dong, saving the country at a time when the Han emperor was weak.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1991, Ronan Pensec, a French rider, left the Seur team, which had not been invited to the Tour, and joined Amaya, which had, just before the start, mainly so that he could be there when the Tour finished a stage in his hometown in Brittany.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

She would reveal that despite plaudits for her red-carpet turns, she's mainly interested in comfort — "so that's sort of what I look for in what I wear" — and that her next project would be with Terrence Malick.

The New York Times

This is because microtremors mainly consist of surface waves so that peaks associated with higher modes would not be prominent, while seismic motions mainly consist of upwardly propagating plain body waves so that higher mode resonances can be seen in high frequency.

Earth, Planets and Space

Low point: Those who've had cheeky previews of the album (OK, so that's mainly annoying hacks) would have killed to have heard SAD Light or Ice Cream Van.

The Guardian - Music

These modifications increased the overall mapping accuracy of GIRAS from 66.5% to 77.8%, mainly by improving its resolution so that small, heterogeneous land cover patches were represented.

Applied Geography

This is because MHVR mainly consists of surface waves so that peaks associated with higher modes would not be as prominent as that of EHVR.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mainly so that", ensure that the clause following "that" clearly expresses the intended outcome or purpose of the action described in the main clause. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the connection between the action and its intended result.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly so that" when the reason is not the primary one, but rather a secondary or less significant factor. Using a different phrase like "partly because" or "also to" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly so that" functions as a purpose connector, introducing a clause that explains the primary reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates the main reason for something. It connects two clauses, showing the relationship between an action and its desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Mainly so that" is a purpose connector used to indicate the primary reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it's most commonly found in news and media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent clause clearly expresses the intended outcome to maintain clarity. While not as frequent as other connectors, "mainly so that" effectively highlights the primary motivation behind an action, helping writers to articulate purpose with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily in order that

Replaces "mainly" with "primarily", offering a slightly more formal tone, while retaining the purpose clause structure.

principally so as to

Replaces "mainly" with "principally" and "that" with "as to", offering a more formal alternative while retaining the same core meaning.

chiefly with the aim of

Substitutes "mainly so that" with "chiefly with the aim of", emphasizing the intention behind an action.

largely for the purpose of

Replaces "mainly" with "largely", highlighting the significant extent to which something is done for a specific purpose.

in the main so that

This alternative adds "in the main", emphasizing that the stated purpose is the most important one.

mostly with the intent to

Uses "mostly" instead of "mainly", and "intent to" instead of "so that", providing a slightly different emphasis on the desired outcome.

predominantly to

Replaces "mainly so that" with "predominantly to", offering a more concise way to express the primary reason for an action.

primarily for

A more concise option, replacing "mainly so that" with "primarily for", suitable when the context clearly indicates the intended outcome.

the main reason being that

Offers a more explicit and explanatory structure, emphasizing the rationale behind an action or decision.

essentially for

Replaces "mainly" with "essentially", highlighting the fundamental reason or purpose behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "mainly so that" in a sentence?

Use "mainly so that" to indicate the primary reason or purpose for an action. For example, "She studied hard "mainly so that" she could pass the exam."

What are some alternatives to "mainly so that"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily in order that", "chiefly with the aim of", or "largely for the purpose of depending on the context".

Is "mainly so that" formal or informal?

"Mainly so that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "principally so as to" or "primarily in order that" may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "mainly so that" and "mostly because"?

"Mainly so that" emphasizes purpose or intention, while "mostly because" indicates the primary cause or reason. Use "mainly so that" when highlighting the desired outcome and "mostly because" when explaining the underlying cause.