this is chiefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is chiefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily or mainly the case, often followed by an explanation or elaboration. Example: "This is chiefly a matter of personal preference, as everyone has different tastes in music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

This is chiefly because Menand usually does get it right, sometimes brilliantly so.

The New York Times - Books

This is chiefly due to the steep fees that AOL pays cable operators.

The Economist

This is chiefly thanks to "swaps", exports of oil that are balanced by imports of it.

The Economist

And this is chiefly because governments have arranged things that way.

The Economist

This is chiefly because they doubt the effectiveness of 30-second spot advertisements.

The Economist

And it's silly to say this is chiefly a communications or optics problem.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Diet did not initiate important legislation; this was chiefly the function of the executive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though Hannibal still maintained himself for some years in southern Italy, this was chiefly due to the exhaustion of Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was chiefly because the world had changed and countries had stirred, but Iran remained in the same state in which it had been.

The Guardian - Books

Whatever, this was chiefly an excuse for the presenter, Dr Suzannah Lipscomb, to gaze distractedly at experts, of the Rospa and scientific and Which?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

An MI5 leak played its part, of course, but this was chiefly because, in the words of the Daily Telegraph, Bingham was "the man who inspired George Smiley".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is chiefly", ensure the statement that follows is the most significant reason, not just one of many contributing factors. Prioritize the information that is primarily responsible for the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "this is chiefly" when multiple factors contribute significantly to the outcome. If the cause isn't distinctly dominant, consider using phrases like "this is partly due to" or "among the reasons is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is chiefly" functions as an adverbial phrase or causal connector. It introduces the primary reason or cause for a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct phrase. Examples from Ludwig show its use in explaining causes or effects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is chiefly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the primary cause or reason behind a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is widespread across diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic content. When writing with "this is chiefly", it's important to ensure that the explanation provided truly represents the main contributing factor, differentiating it from secondary or less significant causes. While it's a versatile phrase, alternative phrasings like "this is primarily due to" or "this is mainly because" can add variety and precision to your writing. Being mindful of the context allows for its effective and accurate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is mainly because

Replaces 'chiefly' with 'mainly because', emphasizing the primary reason.

this is primarily due to

Substitutes 'chiefly' with 'primarily due to', highlighting the principal cause.

this is largely attributable to

Uses 'largely attributable to' instead of 'chiefly', specifying a significant contributing factor.

this is principally owing to

Employs 'principally owing to', providing a more formal alternative.

the main reason for this is

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the 'main reason', altering the structure.

it's mostly a result of

Changes the phrasing to 'mostly a result of', offering a slightly less formal option.

the biggest factor here is

Replaces 'chiefly' with 'the biggest factor', changing the emphasis to a prominent element.

this hinges primarily on

Uses 'hinges primarily on', indicating a critical dependency.

this is fundamentally about

Changes the focus to 'fundamentally about', suggesting a deeper, underlying reason.

at its core, this involves

Rephrases to 'at its core, this involves', highlighting the essential element.

FAQs

How can I use "this is chiefly" in a sentence?

Use "this is chiefly" to introduce the main reason or cause for a particular situation or outcome. For instance, "The company's success this year is chiefly due to its innovative marketing strategy."

What's a more formal way to say "this is chiefly"?

More formal alternatives to "this is chiefly" include phrases like "this is primarily due to" or "this is principally owing to", which add a degree of sophistication to your writing.

Is it okay to use "this is mainly" instead of "this is chiefly"?

Yes, "this is mainly because" is a perfectly acceptable substitute for "this is chiefly", especially in less formal contexts. Both phrases indicate the primary reason or cause.

When should I avoid using "this is chiefly"?

Avoid using "this is chiefly" when there are multiple significant contributing factors and no single cause is clearly dominant. In such cases, phrases like "this is partly due to" or "among the reasons is" might be more appropriate.