mainly those

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly those" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a specific group or category that is primarily being discussed or considered. Example: "The survey focused on the preferences of mainly those aged 18 to 25." Alternative expressions include "primarily those" and "chiefly those."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A few have opted out – mainly those on lower wages.

The Guardian

Children available for adoption today are mainly those in care.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bill is expected to help mainly those applying for individual health insurance policies.

The New York Times

The pleasures of writing "experimental" fiction are mainly those of the writer.

The New Yorker

They reacted to other people's reactions, mainly those of "the left".

The New Yorker

The areas abandoned by the loggers were mainly those where exploitation was most expensive.

The Guardian

He will get some of them – mainly those who depend on Jewish voters and Jewish funding.

The Guardian

SOME members of the presidents' conference, mainly those representing Judaism's Reform movement, see a problem.

The New York Times

The hands are mainly those of two copyists, but Beethoven scribbled corrections and changes throughout.

The New York Times - Arts

This means that many funds, mainly those with hefty marketing expenses, are operating at a loss.

The New York Times

Idiophones of Islamic Africa are mainly those of the Middle East or derivations thereof.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mainly those", ensure the context clearly defines the group or category being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Participants were divided into groups; mainly those with prior experience completed the task faster."

Common error

Avoid using "mainly those" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader knows exactly who or what "those" refers to in the sentence to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly those" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a subset of a larger group. Ludwig AI demonstrates its use in narrowing down a focus within a broader category. The "aiResponseStatus" from Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainly those" is a versatile phrase used to specify a subset within a larger group, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a determiner phrase, highlighting a primary focus or beneficiary. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic entries. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its clarity and common usage, emphasizing the importance of clear antecedents to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI successfully identifies this phrase as grammatically sound and widely applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily these

Replaces "those" with "these", altering the demonstrative pronoun while retaining the emphasis on a specific group.

mostly these

Swaps "mainly" for "mostly", providing a slightly less formal synonym that still indicates the majority.

largely these

Substitutes "mainly" with "largely", suggesting a significant portion but not necessarily the entirety.

chiefly these

Replaces "mainly" with "chiefly", implying that the focus is on the most important or prominent items within the group.

principally these

Substitutes "mainly" with "principally", which conveys a sense of fundamental or essential importance.

predominantly these

Emphasizes the prevalence of the specified items in the group, making them the most noticeable or common.

essentially these

Highlights the fundamental or core nature of the items in the group, indicating they are the key components.

basically these

Offers a more informal way to say "mainly", indicating the items are the primary or underlying focus.

particularly these

Focuses on specific items within a larger set, drawing attention to their unique qualities or relevance.

in the majority of cases

Expresses the concept in a more elaborate and explicit way, rather than relying on a single adverb.

FAQs

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

Use "mainly those" to specify a subset of a larger group. For example, "The benefits are available to all employees, but "mainly those" with families will find them most useful."

What are some alternatives to "mainly those"?

Alternatives include "primarily those", "mostly these", or "largely those". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "mainly those who"?

Yes, "mainly those who" is grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "The survey targeted students, "mainly those who" are pursuing degrees in science."

What's the difference between "mainly those" and "particularly those"?

"Mainly those" indicates a majority, while "particularly those" emphasizes specific individuals or items within a group. "Particularly those" highlights specific cases, whereas "mainly those" refers to the largest segment.