primarily composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily composed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the main components or elements that make up something. Example: "The sculpture is primarily composed of recycled materials, showcasing the artist's commitment to sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gelatinous layer is primarily composed of cellulose and hemicellulose.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For Republicans, that means a bill primarily composed of tax cuts.

The New York Times

At the moment, the movement is primarily composed of young, educated women, living in cities or abroad.

The New Yorker

Quickly, the event's title was changed, and the Women's March established a national board primarily composed of women of color.

The New Yorker

Tanzania's native forests are primarily composed of hardwoods, but softwood production is increasing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Space radiation is primarily composed of energetic protons and electrons.

Earth, Planets and Space

Micromorphological analysis shows that the alluvial layers are primarily composed of pyroclastic silt and sand.

Science Magazine

This population was primarily composed of young males with blunt unintentional traumatic injuries.

Injury Epidemiology

They have a complex internal layered structure primarily composed of Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxides layers.

Geochemical Transactions

Physical analysis of the roof coating material suggests that it was primarily composed of cellulose nitrate.

Heritage Science

Mass spectrometry analyses indicated the final products were primarily composed of neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primarily composed of" when you want to emphasize the key ingredients or components of something. For instance, "The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen" highlights the main gases.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily composed of" when the composition is nearly equal across multiple components. The phrase suggests a clear majority; if the components are relatively equal, consider using alternatives like "a mixture of" or "contains".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily composed of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It indicates the main elements or substances that constitute the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily composed of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to describe the main components of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. Its usage is more common in scientific and formal writing, and it's important to use it when you need to emphasize that the elements described make up the majority of something, while acknowledging that other elements may also be present. Remember to avoid it when the composition is relatively equal across multiple components. Related phrases like "mainly made up of" or "chiefly consisting of" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly made up of

Focuses on the constituents without emphasizing order of importance as much.

chiefly consisting of

Emphasizes the principal components rather than every single one.

largely comprised of

Indicates a significant portion but leaves room for other elements.

primarily made from

Focuses on the material used to create something.

essentially formed from

Highlights the fundamental elements and their formation.

mainly built out of

Suggests a construction process using specific components.

predominantly structured with

Highlights the overall organization and structure of a complex item.

principally constituted by

Formal alternative that stresses the elements that legally or officially comprise something.

substantially fabricated with

Highlights the elements used in fabrication.

fundamentally constructed of

Suggests that the materials form an essential part.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily composed of" in a sentence?

Use "primarily composed of" to describe the main components of something. For example, "The statue is primarily composed of bronze" indicates that bronze is the main material.

What phrases are similar to "primarily composed of"?

Similar phrases include "mainly made up of", "chiefly consisting of", or "largely comprised of".

Is it correct to say "primarily composed by" instead of "primarily composed of"?

No, the correct preposition is "of". "Primarily composed by" is grammatically incorrect in this context. Use "primarily composed of".

What's the difference between "primarily composed of" and "entirely composed of"?

"Primarily composed of" indicates that something is mainly made up of certain components, but may contain others. "Entirely composed of" means it consists only of those components and nothing else.