mostly the latter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly the latter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two options or possibilities, indicating that the second option is the one that applies more often or is more relevant. Example: "When asked about their preferences, most participants chose the two options, but mostly the latter was favored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

His friends hope it's mostly the latter.

The Guardian - Sport

The world divides into friends and foes, mostly the latter, requiring constant vigilance and deft countermeasures.

The New York Times - Books

There were mostly the latter at the National Guard gathering in Baltimore.

The Washington Post

And even if they are mostly the latter, the mere fact that she is here to write them is remarkable.

The New York Times - Books

Mostly the latter, according to a new academic study that found evidence that most people have strict "loss thresholds" they will not cross when gambling.

Stanford University

I'd sit and make sales and look up prices in Books in Print — mostly the latter, as the shop was awfully quiet.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The United States mostly chose the former, and Europe mostly chose the latter.

Huffington Post

Liberals are pro-choice mostly about the latter.

The Washington Post

The model is designed to mostly prefer the latter interpretation.

The New York Times

For many years, he says, Princeton has chosen to put its money mostly on the latter.

Princeton University

Both men collected Dutch old master paintings but mostly from the latter half of the 17th century.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting two options, use "mostly the latter" to clearly indicate that the second option is more frequent or applicable. This improves clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly the latter" if you haven't explicitly mentioned two distinct options or choices beforehand. Without a clear antecedent, the phrase becomes vague and confusing for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly the latter" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which the second of two previously mentioned options is true or applicable. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mostly the latter" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that the second of two options is more common or applicable. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. As evidenced by numerous examples across various sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, followed by Academia. For clearer and more impactful writing, ensure there's a clear antecedent, and consider alternatives like "primarily the latter" or "mainly the latter" for variety. Using this phrase appropriately enhances the clarity and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily the latter

Replaces "mostly" with "primarily", emphasizing that the second option is the main one.

mainly the latter

Substitutes "mostly" with "mainly", suggesting the second option is the principal one.

largely the latter

Uses "largely" instead of "mostly", indicating the second option forms a significant part.

generally the latter

Replaces "mostly" with "generally", implying that the second option is true in most cases.

predominantly the latter

Uses "predominantly" in place of "mostly", highlighting the dominance of the second option.

principally the latter

Substitutes "mostly" with "principally", suggesting that the second option is the chief or main one.

typically the latter

Replaces "mostly" with "typically", indicating that the second option is what usually happens.

more often the latter

Uses "more often" instead of "mostly", emphasizing the frequency of the second option.

for the most part the latter

Expresses "mostly" using the idiom "for the most part", conveying the idea that the second option is true in the majority of instances.

on the whole the latter

Uses the phrase "on the whole" instead of "mostly", suggesting the second option applies in general.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly the latter" in a sentence?

Use "mostly the latter" when you want to indicate that, between two options, the second one is more frequent or prevalent. For example: "The responses were either positive or negative, "mostly the latter"."

What's a good alternative to "mostly the latter"?

Alternatives include phrases like "primarily the latter", "mainly the latter", or "largely the latter". These options convey a similar meaning while offering variety in your writing.

Is it redundant to use "mostly the latter" if the context already implies a preference?

While context might imply a preference, using "mostly the latter" explicitly reinforces the idea, leaving no room for misinterpretation. It adds emphasis and clarity to your statement.

What's the difference between "mostly the latter" and "only the latter"?

"Mostly the latter" suggests that the second option is more frequent but not exclusive, while "only the latter" implies that the second option is the sole occurrence. The choice depends on whether both options have any presence at all.