most mostly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most mostly" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It appears to be a redundancy, as "most" and "mostly" convey similar meanings of a majority or a large part. Example: "The project was most mostly completed by the deadline, but a few tasks remained."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She will most mostly be remembered for her keen, droll sense of humor.

The New York Times

It was his workmates there that struck him most: "Mostly deckies, ex-fishermen who'd been made unemployed when the government signed up to the new Icelandic fishing waters, and they all got sacked overnight.

The Guardian

Huddled outside the Crucible's stage door after any given match during the World Snooker Championship is a gaggle of autograph hunters: 15 at most, mostly men, clutching pristine souvenir programmes and pens to their chests.

BBC

The committee gathered food stocks and kept it in a storage area, distributing it to those who need it most (mostly families with women and children).

Vice

Amid all the action in his book, however, the time Follis spent targeting Juma Khan stands out the most, mostly because his target eventually became a close friend.

Vice

They were all too familiar with the terrible soldier food we ate, made up most mostly of imitation kolbasa, and the shell craters we'd periodically drive over, sending everybody's head into the rusty iron roof of the armoured vehicle.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So most sell mostly on the Internet.

The New York Times - Food

It was a day that most present, mostly an older crowd, had never imagined could come.

The New York Times

He clocks far more than 40 hours most weeks, mostly in unpaid writing.

The New York Times

Travel and other distractions have kept me from most of Mostly Mozart this summer.

The New Yorker

After all, most Americans mostly agree with a pro-choice position.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "most mostly" in your writing. Choose a single, clear adverb such as "mostly", "mainly", or "primarily" to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

The most common error is the redundancy of using both "most" and "mostly". Remember that "most" already implies a majority, so adding "mostly" creates an unnecessary repetition. Choose one or the other based on the nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most mostly" functions as an adverbial modifier, but its usage is grammatically flawed. As Ludwig AI suggests, it presents a redundancy, since "most" and "mostly" both indicate a high degree of prevalence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most mostly" is grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy. While it appears in some sources, including news and media, its use is generally discouraged. As Ludwig AI points out, opting for single adverbs like "mostly", "primarily", or "largely" ensures clarity and correctness. Remember to avoid redundancy and prioritize precise language in your writing to communicate effectively. For example, instead of saying "The project was most mostly completed", it is better to say "The project was largely completed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly

Removes the redundant "most" for grammatical correctness, focusing on the prevalence.

mainly

Suggests the principal component or aspect, offering a grammatically sound replacement.

largely

Indicates a significant portion or extent, improving grammatical accuracy.

primarily

Emphasizes what comes first or is of greatest importance, correcting the grammatical structure.

generally

Describes something that is true in most situations, offering a clear, grammatically correct alternative.

predominantly

Highlights the dominant characteristic or occurrence, offering a more formal tone.

typically

Focuses on what is usual or expected, providing grammatical correctness.

for the most part

Focuses on typical situations, lacking the grammatical error of "most mostly".

in most cases

Indicates a general rule or trend with exceptions, avoiding the original error.

almost entirely

This alternative emphasizes completeness rather than frequency and avoids redundancy.

FAQs

Why is "most mostly" considered incorrect?

The phrase "most mostly" is redundant because both words convey the idea of a majority or prevalence. Using both together doesn't add meaning and is grammatically awkward.

What can I say instead of "most mostly"?

Consider using alternatives like "mostly", "mainly", or "primarily". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there any situation where "most mostly" would be correct?

No, there isn't a grammatically correct situation for using "most mostly". It's always better to choose a single, clear adverb to avoid redundancy.

How can I avoid making similar mistakes in my writing?

Pay attention to potential redundancies. If two words seem to be saying the same thing, choose the stronger or more concise option. Review your writing carefully to catch these types of errors.