mainstay

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mainstay" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is important and enduring in a situation, or an influential person or thing. For example: Education has been a mainstay in my family for generations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The chicken costume is a mainstay," tweeted Bertram.

The Guardian

The battle is in part political, in part organisational and in part about the mainstay of politics – the people.

The Guardian

So there'd be no Don't Look Back In Anger (currently a mainstay of Noel's solo sets), no Acquiesce, no Masterplan.

The Guardian - Music

However, BAE warned this week that 2012 earnings could be hit if an agreement is not reached with Saudi Arabia in the next two months Aerospace is the mainstay of BAE's UK operations and its 35,000 British employees, accounting for around 55% of British sales.

The Guardian - Business

Noting that fish and shellfish are today widely recognized by physicians as vital to our health, Greenberg writes: By all rights this most healthy of food should be an American mainstay.

The Guardian

According to Campbell, the haunting images of starving people – especially children – that have long been the mainstay of famine reporting, may do more harm than good.

The Guardian

Despite threatening to leave every year since 2013, Louis Walsh – whose hair is oddly more luxuriant and his skin tauter than ever – is the lineup's only mainstay, with T-shirts baring his catchphrase of "You're the new [insert old soul singer's name here]' becoming a Christmas must-have.

The Guardian - Music

It is the mainstay of the modern internet economy: targeted advertising and recommendation systems.

The Guardian

The NCAA has been a mainstay in downtown Indianapolis since 1999, when it relocated from its Kansas location in part because of a rich public-private investment deal from the city to establish the headquarters.

The Guardian - Sport

Under Rodgers, the much-maligned £20m signing Jordan Henderson has gone from a perceived waste of money to a mainstay of the Liverpool midfield and a possible England World Cup starter.

The Guardian - Sport

With his track record of espousing reconciliation – as mayor of Nicosia's Turkish-controlled sector, Akinci collaborated closely with his Greek Cypriot counterpart on a number of projects in the capital – the new Turkish Cypriot leader is seen as the one man willing to take on his pariah state's protector and economic mainstay: Turkey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainstay" to describe something that has consistently provided support or been a key element over a significant period. For example, "Customer service is a mainstay of our business strategy."

Common error

Don't use "mainstay" to describe something that is only temporarily popular or important. "Mainstay" implies longevity and consistent significance. For example, avoid saying, "Social media is the mainstay of our marketing campaign," if the campaign is new and unproven.

Linguistic Context

The word "mainstay" functions primarily as a noun, referring to something that acts as a chief support or a fundamental element. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in various contexts, such as describing the economic foundation of a country or the core element of a business strategy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "mainstay" is a versatile noun that signifies a reliable and consistent source of support or a key element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It often appears in news and media, business, and scientific contexts, emphasizing the enduring importance of something. While "mainstay" is similar to words like "cornerstone" or "linchpin", it particularly emphasizes the sustained and reliable nature of the support it provides. When using "mainstay", ensure that you apply it to something with a proven track record of importance, not a temporary trend, as "mainstay" implies longevity and consistent significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

backbone

Similar to "chief support" but can also connote resilience and structure, which may be absent in the idea of a "mainstay".

chief support

More direct and less figurative than "mainstay". It describes something that physically or structurally holds something else up.

linchpin

Describes something that holds elements together, often implying that its removal would cause collapse. "Mainstay" suggests continued reliance rather than a singular critical point.

cornerstone

While similar, "cornerstone" emphasizes the starting point or foundational aspect, whereas "mainstay" suggests ongoing support.

core foundation

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the support. "Mainstay" implies ongoing reliance, while this focuses on the base.

key element

Similar to "central component" but emphasizes essentiality to a greater degree.

central component

Focuses on the part something plays in the system. "Mainstay" suggests ongoing support and significance over time; this is more about a part.

essential ingredient

Implies necessity within a mixture or process, which is less general than "mainstay".

critical factor

Stresses the importance in determining an outcome, rather than sustained support.

primary resource

Highlights the idea of a source of support or supply, shifting the focus from a general support to a specific asset.

FAQs

How can I use "mainstay" in a sentence?

You can use "mainstay" to describe something that has been a reliable and consistent source of support or a key element over time. For example, "Agriculture is the mainstay of the rural economy."

What's a good alternative to "mainstay"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "mainstay" include "cornerstone", "backbone", "chief support", or "linchpin".

Is it correct to say something is "a mainstay of the future"?

While grammatically correct, it might be conceptually contradictory. "Mainstay" typically refers to something established and reliable over time. If you're referring to something expected to become reliable in the future, consider phrases like "key to the future" or "essential for future success" instead.

What's the difference between "mainstay" and "staple"?

"Mainstay" refers to something that provides consistent support or is a key element, often in a broader or more abstract sense. "Staple" typically refers to a basic or essential item, especially in the context of food or materials. For example, "Rice is a staple food in many cultures," whereas "Customer loyalty is a mainstay of our business."