principally about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principally about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main focus or primary subject of a discussion, text, or argument. Example: "The report is principally about the impact of climate change on agriculture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Story principally about Richard Dix.

The New Yorker

Or is history principally about humanity?

The Guardian - Books

But testosterone is principally about dominance and hierarchy.

The Economist

Each of them cares principally about getting laid.

The New Yorker

The next three weeks are principally about sport.

The Guardian - Opinion

"New York is principally about location," Mrs. Haughton said.

The New York Times - Arts

Hollywood's stock in trade is illusion, of course, principally about itself.

The New York Times

But she spoke principally about the role of women in politics.

The New York Times

But it's principally about the times in which they wrote them.

The Guardian

His project is also — perhaps even principally — about innovations in fund-raising and marketing.

The New York Times - Arts

Long discussion of politics, principally about the Liberal Democratic Party but also the other parties.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, "principally about" is a strong and clear choice to use in academic papers or reports, so readers are aware of what the primary focus is.

Common error

While "principally about" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mainly about" or "mostly about" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principally about" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, specifying the main topic or focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. For example, "The book is principally about the history of Rome."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "principally about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates the main subject or focus of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and science, while simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal settings. Its purpose is to clearly inform the audience about the primary topic. Understanding its function, appropriate usage, and available alternatives enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly about

This alternative is more direct and uses a simpler word choice.

primarily about

This alternative is very similar in meaning and usage, differing only in the specific adverb used.

chiefly about

This alternative emphasizes the importance of the subject being discussed.

largely about

This alternative indicates that the subject is a significant part, but not necessarily the only part.

mostly about

This alternative suggests a higher degree of focus on the subject, implying it's the dominant element.

predominantly about

This alternative is a more formal way of saying 'mostly about'.

focused on

This alternative shifts the structure to a participial phrase, emphasizing the focus.

concerned with

This alternative implies an involvement or interest in the subject.

centered on

This alternative suggests the subject is the central point or core.

revolving around

This alternative indicates that the subject is the main point around which everything else is organized.

FAQs

What does "principally about" mean?

The phrase "principally about" means mainly or primarily concerning a specific topic. It indicates the main subject or focus of something.

What can I say instead of "principally about"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly about", "primarily about", or "chiefly about" depending on the context.

Is "principally about" formal or informal?

"Principally about" leans towards a more formal tone. In informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "mostly about" or "largely about".

How to use "principally about" in a sentence?

Use "principally about" to introduce the main subject of a discussion or text. For example, "The article is principally about the effects of climate change".