mostly owing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly owing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily the result of a particular cause or factor. Example: "The project's success was mostly owing to the team's hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Most everything else has been called off, too, partly out of precaution but mostly owing to heartbreak.

The New Yorker

Like its predecessors, One Direction has been compared to the Beatles, mostly owing to its remarkable chart success.

The New Yorker

That's "mostly owing to the increase in vegetable gardening and people's desire to grow anywhere they can," she said.

The New York Times

Queensland gets $1.12, South Australia $1.36, Tasmania $1.82, the ATC $1.10 and the Northern Territory – mostly owing to its high proportion of Indigenous people – receives $5.57.

The Guardian - Business

ABBA the Museum — an interactive athenaeum for the art and artistry of Sweden's superfamous quartet — does not take cash, mostly owing to the deeply held beliefs of Björn Ulvaeus, the smaller and less bearded of the "B"s.

The New Yorker

But the figures suggest that the fall in the number applying to university since last year is mostly owing to a glut of applications in 2010 in anticipation of the fees rise.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Large government welfare programs in some European countries, without the revenue to finance them from local production, eventually led to a piling up of sovereign debt — mostly owed to European banks — and then a lender revolt.

The New York Times

The airline took a big step recently when it converted $290m of debt (mostly owed to Richard Branson's Virgin Group) into conditional equity that the debt-holders will own after an IPO, providing the stock hits predetermined targets.

The Economist

Although gross domestic product rose by 4% (compared with 1999) in the first half of 2000, these gains were offset by an approximately 54% rise in consumer prices as well as foreign debts of $290 million (mostly owed to Russia for imports of gas).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Following relegation it was revealed the club were carrying debts of £110m, mostly owed to Isle of Man-based owner Eddie Davies.

BBC

In three years, about $600 million of the remaining $4.6 billion of debt (mostly owed to banks) should be paid off and Huntsman's companies worth more than $5 billion above debt.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly owing to", ensure that the factor you're attributing the result to is indeed the primary, though not necessarily exclusive, cause. Avoid overusing it in close proximity to other similar causal phrases.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly owing to" when the cause is only a minor contributor. Ensure that the factor you cite is genuinely the most significant reason for the outcome you describe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly owing to" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating causation. It modifies a clause by specifying the primary reason or cause for the situation described. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mostly owing to" is a versatile phrase used to denote the primary cause or reason behind a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and acceptable. As shown through the analysis, it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting its utility in factual and explanatory writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the attributed cause is, in fact, the most significant factor. While similar phrases exist, such as "mainly due to" or "largely because of", "mostly owing to" provides a slightly more formal alternative for expressing causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily because of

Emphasizes the primary reason or cause.

mainly as a result of

Highlights the consequence or outcome of a particular action or event.

largely due to

Similar to "mostly owing to" but emphasizes the significant influence of a specific factor.

predominantly caused by

More formal and highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

chiefly attributable to

Emphasizes that something can be credited or assigned to a particular cause.

principally resulting from

Focuses on the outcome or effect of a primary factor.

substantially influenced by

Highlights the significant impact or effect of a factor.

primarily driven by

Emphasizes the driving force or main motivator.

mostly a consequence of

Highlights the result or effect of an event.

in large part because of

Emphasizes the significance of the cause or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly owing to" in a sentence?

Use "mostly owing to" to indicate the primary reason for something. For example, "The project's delay was mostly owing to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "mostly owing to"?

You can use alternatives such as "mainly due to", "largely because of", or "primarily as a result of".

Is it more formal to say "mostly owing to" or "mostly due to"?

"Mostly owing to" and "mostly due to" are generally interchangeable. However, "mostly owing to" might be perceived as slightly more formal, though the difference is negligible.

Can "mostly owing to" be used in all types of writing?

"Mostly owing to" is suitable for various types of writing, including academic, news, and general content. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits appropriately.