mostly if not exclusively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly if not exclusively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily true, with the possibility that it may be entirely true as well. Example: "The conference attendees were mostly if not exclusively from the tech industry, highlighting the event's focus on technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Mostly, if not exclusively, we did.

The Guardian - Books

Cell membranes exist mostly, if not exclusively, in the fluid or liquid-crystalline state19.

Nature

Now we are supposed to pay attention to distractions such as email notifications and, mostly, if not exclusively, we do.

The Guardian - Books

He spoke mostly, if not exclusively, Russian and was devoted, especially in his American years, to Russian composers like Mussorgsky, Scriabin and Shostakovich.

The New York Times

Victor hopes the excavations will also reveal whether the workers had a garden or kept livestock, and whether women were present in the labor quarters; most are thought to have been occupied mostly, if not exclusively, by men.

Stanford University

"A company like this, we want mostly if not exclusively to let the product do the talking," says Keenan, speaking in a meeting room in Bauer's central London headquarters where ornately-framed logos of his brands adorn the wall.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The varying degree of relatedness between the hybrids and the two parental species suggests that introgression occurs within populations and that such introgression is mostly unidirectional, i.e., the hybrid may preferentially if not exclusively backcrosses to one parent only.

Plosone

Mostly, if not entirely, gone.

Forbes

Brass is an alloy consisting mainly if not exclusively of copper and zinc.

Britannica

Furthermore, immunodepletion experiments demonstrate that the fluorescently-tagged peptide is selectively, if not exclusively, phosphorylated by the conventional PKCs.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics

Most accounts focus primarily, if not exclusively, on residential development and rely on stock suburban theses for their interpretation.

Journal of Historical Geography

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly if not exclusively" when you want to convey that something is true in the vast majority of instances, but you're not prepared to claim it's 100% true. It provides a nuanced way to express near certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly if not exclusively" when the situation genuinely warrants a stronger, more definitive statement. If the evidence clearly supports exclusivity, opt for "exclusively" or "solely" to maintain accuracy and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly if not exclusively" functions as a qualifier or intensifier. It modifies a statement to indicate that something is true in the vast majority of instances, but acknowledging a possible exception. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly if not exclusively" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a high degree of inclusion with a degree of possible exception. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse writing contexts. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic sources, conveying a sense of precision. While suitable for formal and informal settings, its value is best realized when hedging statements requiring near-certainty. Close alternatives include "primarily if not entirely" and "largely if not completely". When seeking nuance, this phrase effectively balances conviction with cautiousness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily if not entirely

This alternative emphasizes the 'main' aspect, suggesting something is chiefly, if not wholly, the case.

largely if not completely

This alternative focuses on the extent or degree to which something is true or applicable.

mainly if not solely

This option underscores the principal aspect while acknowledging possible exceptions.

chiefly if not wholly

This phrase stresses the leading or dominant nature of something.

predominantly if not uniquely

This alternative implies that something occurs more than anything else, potentially to the exclusion of all else.

mostly if not always

This focuses on frequency rather than exclusivity.

almost exclusively

Omits the 'if not' clause, suggesting a near-total exclusion of other possibilities.

in most if not all cases

This alternative addresses the scope of the situation, rather than the degree of inclusion.

for the most part, if not entirely

This option introduces a conversational tone while retaining a similar meaning.

generally, if not universally

This phrase broadens the scope to a general condition, potentially applicable everywhere.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly if not exclusively" in a sentence?

Use "mostly if not exclusively" to indicate that something is true in the majority of cases, with the possibility it might be true in all cases. For example, "The attendees were "mostly if not exclusively" from the engineering department."

What phrases are similar to "mostly if not exclusively"?

Alternatives include "primarily if not entirely", "largely if not completely", or "mainly if not solely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "mostly if not exclusively" or "almost exclusively"?

The choice depends on the degree of certainty. "Almost exclusively" suggests a very high degree of exclusivity, whereas "mostly if not exclusively" allows for a slightly wider margin of exception. If you are unsure it is almost exclusive, "mostly if not exclusively" is the safer option.

When should I avoid using "mostly if not exclusively"?

Avoid using "mostly if not exclusively" if the context requires absolute precision or if there is significant doubt about the near-exclusivity of something. In such cases, more precise language is needed.