mostly as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly as a" is a correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is mostly classified as a certain thing but that also has other secondary components. For example, "Mostly as a hobby, I also like to draw cartoons as a form of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Matthews was batting.190, mostly as a pinch-hitter.

The New York Times - Sports

The dish is eaten, mostly, as a light supper.

The New York Times - Travel

McEnroe is still talking, though mostly as a television announcer.

The New York Times - Sports

Airline alliances evolved mostly as a result of globalization.

The New York Times

Still, she sees her son mostly as a party loyalist.

The New York Times

He worked mostly as a messenger and waiter.

The New York Times

The club exists mostly as a place for hockey worshipers.

The New York Times

I'd worked mostly as a carpenter but my skills had always been very portable.

The New York Times

In Turin, Italy, in 2006, NBC streamed only one hockey game, mostly as a test.

The New York Times - Sports

The friendships he stages are loose affiliations that serve mostly as a bulwark against meaninglessness.

The New Yorker

Mostly as a sexbot: a one-dimensional hot chick chanting come-ons to club beats.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly as a", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what other secondary roles or functions are also present. This provides a complete and nuanced understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly as a" when the subject's secondary roles are negligible or nonexistent. In such cases, "primarily as a" or "solely as a" might be more appropriate to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly as a" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the primary but not exclusive role or characteristic of something. Ludwig AI confirms this through the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mostly as a" serves as a prepositional phrase that indicates a primary function while allowing for secondary roles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. While suitable for formal and informal writing, it's crucial to ensure that the secondary roles are appropriately acknowledged to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "primarily as a" or "mainly as a" can be considered for subtle shifts in emphasis. As shown by examples, authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC frequently employ "mostly as a", demonstrating its reliability in conveying nuanced information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily as a

This alternative focuses on the main purpose or function, emphasizing its prominence.

largely as a

This option highlights the extent to which something serves a particular role.

mainly as a

This choice stresses the principal aspect or function.

principally as a

This emphasizes the leading or foremost role.

chiefly as a

This highlights the most important or dominant function.

predominantly as a

This emphasizes the major or prevailing aspect.

generally as a

This indicates a common or widespread role.

typically as a

This option suggests a usual or representative function.

primarily functioning as

This alternative focuses on the main action or operation of something.

serving mainly as

This highlights the role of something in fulfilling a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly as a" in a sentence?

Use "mostly as a" to describe something whose primary function is one thing, but also has other roles. For example, "The room is used "mostly as a" storage area, but it can also be used as a guest room."

What are some alternatives to "mostly as a"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "primarily as a", "mainly as a", or "largely as a".

What's the difference between "mostly as a" and "solely as a"?

"Mostly as a" indicates that something has a primary function, but also other secondary ones. "Solely as a" implies that something has only one function and no other roles.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "mostly as a"?

While grammatically permissible, starting a sentence with ""mostly as a"" can sometimes sound awkward. It's often better to restructure the sentence to place the phrase within the clause.