the most part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the most part" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It means "for the most part" or "generally speaking". You can use the phrase when you're speaking or writing generally about a topic. For example, "I have enjoyed the experience for the most part, but there were some negative aspects as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nonsense, for the most part.

The New York Times

And, for the most part, a secret.

The New York Times - Magazine

The laws, for the most part, worked.

The New Yorker

For the most part, the latter.

The Economist

For the most part, it is.

The Economist

Here, for the most part, they succeed.

The New Yorker

(So far unsuccessfully, for the most part).

The New York Times - Magazine

For the most part, it succeeded.

The New York Times - Sports

Redistribution, for the most part, is not.

The Economist

For the most part, it has worked.

The New York Times - Sports

For the most part, people restrain themselves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the most part" to qualify a statement, indicating that it's generally true but may have exceptions. For example, "The project was successful, for "the most part", but there were some minor setbacks."

Common error

Avoid using "the most part" interchangeably with "for the most part". "For the most part" is an idiomatic expression, while "the most part" requires a preceding context to specify what "the most part" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the most part" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to specify a quantity or portion of something. It often appears within the idiomatic expression "for the most part", which, according to Ludwig, means 'mostly' or 'generally'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sports

12%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the most part" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that is frequently used to specify a portion of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in the idiomatic expression "for the most part", meaning "mostly" or "generally". It is important to recognize that, without the idiom, the phrase needs additional context to ensure clarity. This expression is commonly found in news and media, as well as in sports and arts contexts, and the Ludwig examples confirm its widespread and varied application in clarifying the scope or extent of a particular condition or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the greater part

Replaces "most" with "greater", emphasizing a larger portion but maintaining the same structure.

in general

Offers a more concise way to express the idea of generality, omitting "part".

generally speaking

Emphasizes the act of generalizing, shifting the focus slightly from the portion itself.

by and large

Provides a more idiomatic alternative, implying overall agreement or truth.

on the whole

Similar to "by and large", indicating an overall assessment or summary.

predominantly

Focuses on the dominant aspect or characteristic, rather than a specific part.

mainly

A simpler term focusing on the primary element or factor.

mostly

A shorter and more direct synonym emphasizing the majority.

largely

Similar to "mostly", indicating a significant degree or extent.

to a great extent

Highlights the degree to which something is true or applicable.

FAQs

What does "the most part" mean?

The phrase "the most part" refers to the largest portion or majority of something. It is often used within the phrase "for "the most part"", which means "mostly" or "generally".

How can I use "the most part" in a sentence?

You can use "the most part" to specify a portion of something. For example, "The most part of the book was interesting, but the ending was disappointing." The idiom "for "the most part"" is more common: "For "the most part", the weather was pleasant."

Is it better to say "the most part" or "for the most part"?

The phrase "for "the most part"" is generally preferred as it's an established idiom that means "mostly" or "generally". "The most part" can be used, but it needs a clearer context specifying what is being referred to.

What are some alternatives to "for the most part"?

Alternatives to "for "the most part"" include "in general", "generally speaking", "by and large", "mainly", and "mostly". The best choice depends on the specific context.