mostly a case of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly a case of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation or issue primarily involves a particular factor or reason, but not exclusively. Example: "The problem with the project is mostly a case of poor communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There was only time for a couple of hours' hacking before presentations began, so it was mostly a case of polishing my two apps for the demo.

The Guardian

It's mostly a case of matchmaking – suit the play to the players – but it's problematic too, a case of pigeonholing artists.

The Guardian

Linebacker Michael Boley said defense's troubles late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter were mostly a case of being too lax in coverage.

The New York Times - Sports

It's mostly a case of seeing stars – and I don't mean Julian Sands, Simon Callow and Diana Quick, who are all performing on the fringe, and in most cases getting far more attention than their material deserves.

The Guardian

Unpicking the game's conspiracies is mostly a case of killing all those involved, with your job turning from that of multiple blade-carrying delivery boy to hired killer as formative fetch-and-carry missions give way to the story proper.

The Guardian - Tech

It's possible, I suppose, to spin a narrative in which Romney's years as a Mormon bishop and stake president were mostly a case of a tycoon-on-the-make exploiting a networking opportunity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It has mostly been a case of timing.

The New York Times - Sports

I haven't even had to call the toss correctly at this World Cup yet; it's mostly been a case of the opposition losing them.

The Guardian - Sport

"Mostly it's a case of those who played with Lego as a child coming back to it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Will Addison, who has just signed a new three-year contract with the Sharks, did land a solitary first-half penalty but mostly it was a case of scrambling to stop Joseph and Banahan, as well as the lively Zach Mercer, from causing further damage.

The Guardian - Sport

While Batman: The Telltale Series features action sequences, they're no different to what we've promptly responded to in the past in the likes of Game of Thrones and Tales from the Borderlands: Mostly it's a case of nudging sticks and tapping face buttons, but there is some basic targeting, too, and (this being the broad-fisted Batman) special finishing moves are activated by combining commands.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly a case of" when you want to convey that a situation is primarily influenced by a specific factor, but acknowledge that other factors may also play a role. It adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly a case of" if the situation is entirely due to one factor. This phrase implies that there are contributing factors, so ensure the context warrants this nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly a case of" functions as an idiomatic expression used to qualify a statement, indicating that a particular reason or factor is the primary, but not exclusive, explanation for a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mostly a case of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, that suggests a primary cause while acknowledging other contributing factors. While most frequent in news and media, and science contexts, its register is generally neutral. When using the phrase, ensure that the situation is not entirely due to a single factor to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like "largely a matter of" and "primarily a question of" can provide similar nuances. This makes "mostly a case of" a valuable tool for conveying precision and detail in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely a matter of

Emphasizes the extent to which something is due to a particular reason or circumstance, focusing on its significance.

primarily a question of

Highlights that the situation is fundamentally about a certain issue or consideration.

mainly due to

Indicates that a specific factor is the principal cause or reason for something.

chiefly attributable to

Suggests that something can mostly be traced back to a particular source or cause.

predominantly caused by

Implies that a specific factor is the dominant cause, surpassing others in importance.

essentially a question of

Focuses on the fundamental nature of the problem, reducing it to its core elements.

fundamentally about

Highlights the core issue, indicating it is the most important and basic aspect.

largely dependent on

Highlights the dependence from a particular factor.

typically stems from

Indicates the origin or root cause of a problem or situation is typically linked to a certain element.

often boils down to

Simplifies a complex issue to its most essential components.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly a case of" in a sentence?

Use "mostly a case of" to indicate that a situation or problem primarily stems from a particular cause, while acknowledging that other factors might also be involved. For example, "The project's delay was "mostly a case of" miscommunication."

What are some alternatives to "mostly a case of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "largely a matter of", "primarily a question of", or "mainly due to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "mostly a case of"?

Yes, the phrase "mostly a case of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing. It's a standard way to express that something is primarily due to a certain factor.

What's the difference between "mostly a case of" and "entirely a case of"?

"Mostly a case of" suggests that other factors are involved, while "entirely a case of" indicates that only one factor is responsible. The word "mostly" acknowledges contributing elements, whereas "entirely" does not.