preponderantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "preponderantly" is a legitimate word in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or thing that is significantly larger, greater, or more significant than the other elements of a group or set. Example sentence: The preponderantly red-colored flowers in the garden were beautiful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Hizbul Mujahideen, which is preponderantly Kashmiri, said it would welcome the ceasefire, but still insists that India acknowledge that Kashmir is a "disputed" territory and that the dialogue include Pakistan as well as the Kashmiri people.Whether the proposed ceasefire leads anywhere this time depends on whether differences that are reconcilable in theory can be overcome in fact.

The Economist

It seems to have escaped Gros and Mayer's notice that sovereign borrowing is now done preponderantly in the securitization market rather than in the form of bank loans.

The Economist

This makes that debt very much more difficult to reschedule than was the case when sovereign debt preponderantly took the form of bank loans.Willem Buiter correctly notes that for Greece it is five minutes to midnight.

The Economist

Western Africans reconstructed their native drums in the New World, preponderantly as ritual instruments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still other problems reflect the fact that existing systems analysts are trained preponderantly in the physical sciences and engineering and thus may not be well matched to the socioeconomic issues they are likely to confront, though most systems analysis groups working in socioeconomic questions try to balance their strength by adding appropriate missing skills.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of the poems of the Shijing have a preponderantly lyrical strain whether the subject is hardship in military service or seasonal festivities, agricultural chores or rural scenes, love or sports, aspirations or disappointments of the common folk and of the declining aristocracy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The other leading Czech composer of Smetana's period, Antonín Dvořák, wrote nine operas but remained preponderantly an instrumental composer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although Ulster was the most British and most Protestant part of Ireland, it contained a large population of non-British Catholics and was contiguous with a larger and preponderantly Catholic Ireland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a large and growing market, the only preponderantly young population in Europe, many of them well trained.

Independent

Already, his production is "preponderantly fizzy," and soon, he says, he might decide "to go a hundred per cent fizz".

The New Yorker

The Wilhelm Gustloff, though it carried a thousand U-boat sailors on their way to Kiel to man submarines, plus three hundred and seventy members of the naval women's auxiliary, some wounded fighters, and a few anti-aircraft guns, preponderantly held East Prussian noncombatants fleeing the Russian advance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preponderantly" to emphasize that one element significantly outweighs others in a given context, lending weight to your argument or description. For instance, instead of saying "most of the members," you could say "the members are "preponderantly" in favor," which suggests a clear majority.

Common error

Avoid using "preponderantly" when a simple "mostly" or "mainly" would suffice. "Preponderantly" implies a significant imbalance, not just a slight majority. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "preponderantly" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating a dominant or overwhelming quality. It serves to emphasize that something is significantly more prevalent or influential than other elements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preponderantly" is a useful adverb to indicate that something is dominant or has the most influence, as validated by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for formal contexts due to its sophisticated tone. Examples from news media and encyclopedias show its common usage in emphasizing significant majorities or dominant aspects. When choosing a synonym, consider the nuance you want to convey, as alternatives like "mainly" or "predominantly" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Remember that Ludwig confirms its legitimacy and provides context for its correct application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predominantly

Indicates a greater quantity or influence but might allow for substantial exceptions.

mainly

Focuses on the principal aspect or element, suggesting a primary but not necessarily overwhelming presence.

primarily

Emphasizes the chief importance or purpose, rather than sheer quantity.

overwhelmingly

Stresses an imbalance where one thing far outweighs others in significance or amount.

mostly

Implies that the majority is somewhat larger, focusing on general composition.

largely

Suggests a considerable extent or degree, often in terms of impact or scope.

principally

Highlights what is most important or fundamental, rather than just numerous.

chiefly

Points to the leading or controlling element, often in a hierarchical sense.

dominantly

Emphasizes control or power, suggesting a strong influence or ruling factor.

essentially

Indicates what is fundamentally true or characteristic, often simplifying complex details.

FAQs

How can I use "preponderantly" in a sentence?

Use "preponderantly" to indicate that something is dominant or has the most influence. For example, "The discussion was "preponderantly" focused on the economic impact of the new policy."

What is a synonym for "preponderantly"?

Synonyms for "preponderantly" include "mainly", "predominantly", or "primarily". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "preponderantly" the same as "predominantly"?

While similar, "preponderantly" suggests a greater degree of imbalance than "predominantly". Use "preponderantly" when something significantly outweighs other factors.

Can "preponderantly" be used in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct in any context, "preponderantly" is generally more suited for formal or academic writing due to its sophisticated tone. Simpler alternatives might be better in informal settings.