mostly favorable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly favorable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, opinion, or outcome that is generally positive but not entirely so. Example: "The survey results were mostly favorable, indicating that the majority of participants enjoyed the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reviews were mostly favorable, though a few were vicious.

The New Yorker

Crucially, the new device has received mostly favorable reviews.

MIT Technology Review

Allen's last film, Cafe Society, premiered to mostly favorable reviews on the opening night of Cannes.

The Guardian - Film

It was an exceedingly prodigious output, and he drew mostly favorable reviews.

The Washington Post

While the overall security trend seems mostly favorable, progress is slow.

The New York Times

The agency found that government policies since the onset of the crisis "have so far been mostly favorable to F.D.I".

The New York Times

The initiative attracted more than 500,000 mostly favorable written comments from the public, a record response for the agency.

The Washington Post

It had been known that the reports were mostly favorable, but the reports themselves had not been made public.

The New York Times

Legendary's first film, "Batman Begins," directed by Christopher Nolan, was released last year to mostly favorable reviews.

The New York Times - Tech

More than three-quarters of respondents said they had a very favorable or mostly favorable opinion of Apple.

The New York Times

Yesterday's column on the weak historical relationship between the unemployment rate and presidential performance generated a mostly favorable reaction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing reviews or opinions, "mostly favorable" suggests a consensus of positivity, acknowledging any dissenting voices without diminishing the overall positive impression.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly favorable" when the situation is overwhelmingly positive. Opt for stronger terms like "highly favorable" or "extremely positive" to accurately reflect the sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly favorable" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It typically describes nouns, indicating a general positive attribute or quality with the understanding that some aspects may not be entirely positive. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is standard in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly favorable" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to describe something that is generally positive but not entirely so. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to provide a nuanced assessment. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using the expression, remember to consider the context and avoid overstating the positivity. Consider alternatives like "largely positive" or "generally well-received" to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mostly positive

A direct synonym, simply replacing "favorable" with "positive".

Largely positive

Indicates a significant amount of positivity, slightly stronger than "mostly favorable".

On the whole positive

Similar to "mostly favorable" but emphasizes an overall positive impression.

Generally well-received

Focuses on the reception by an audience or group, emphasizing a positive response.

Predominantly supportive

Highlights a majority of support, particularly relevant in contexts involving opinions or endorsements.

Significantly positive

Emphasizes the magnitude of the positive aspect.

Fairly encouraging

Suggests a level of positivity that inspires confidence or hope.

Generally optimistic

Expresses an overall positive outlook or expectation.

Substantially beneficial

Focuses on the advantageous or helpful aspects being prominent.

Decidedly advantageous

Highlights the beneficial nature with a sense of certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "mostly favorable" to describe reviews, opinions, conditions, or outcomes that are generally positive but not entirely so. For instance, "The reviews for the new restaurant were "mostly favorable", with only a few critics expressing minor concerns."

What are some alternatives to "mostly favorable"?

Alternatives to "mostly favorable" include "largely positive", "generally positive", or "predominantly supportive". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "mostly favorably"?

No, "mostly favorably" is not grammatically correct in most contexts where you'd use "mostly favorable". "Favorable" is an adjective, while "favorably" is an adverb. You would use "mostly favorably" to describe how something is done, not the nature of something itself.

What's the difference between "mostly favorable" and "completely favorable"?

"Mostly favorable" indicates that the majority is positive, but there are some negative aspects or dissenting opinions. "Completely favorable" implies that everything is positive without any negative elements.