this is chiefly because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is chiefly because" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the main reason or cause for something in a more formal context. Example: "The project was delayed; this is chiefly because of unforeseen circumstances that arose during the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Books

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

This is chiefly because it is not played on an instrument, but is sung with nonsense words like "bwaaa bwa bwa".

The New York Times - Arts

This is chiefly because the topic is seen as cultural and even perhaps genetic rather than simply a matter of good economics.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is chiefly because its foreign policy is a compromise between powerful economic interests (in energy and armaments), the armed forces and the country's political leadership.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

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

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

This was chiefly because neither of the leading politicians of the day, William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, cared to affront Queen Victoria's implacable opposition to the women's movement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was chiefly because American social democrats paid respectful attention to their own oppressed comrades from Russia, the Mensheviks, some of whom fled into American exile with hair-raising reports about Bolshevism and its deeds.

The New York Times - Books

This was chiefly because Jenner, the 17-year-old (insert legitimate occupation here) and half-sister of Kim Kardashian, tweeted that she felt hurt and insulted at the implication that she'd injected her lips with fillers such as Juvederm, when in reality she'd have done better to tell people to mind their own business.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, consider using a more common phrase like "mainly because" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "this is chiefly because" in informal writing. Overusing formal connectors can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mostly because" in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is chiefly because" functions as a causal connector, introducing the primary reason or explanation for a particular situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples illustrate its use in explaining various phenomena, from economic trends to artistic choices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is chiefly because" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a causal connector. It introduces the primary reason or explanation for a situation, as confirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal settings. The phrase is frequently found in news, media, and scientific sources, serving the purpose of providing clear and direct explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily because

Emphasizes the main reason more strongly.

mainly due to

Highlights the cause as a significant factor.

largely owing to

More formal and emphasizes the debt or influence of the cause.

principally as a result of

Formal and stresses the outcome of the cause.

predominantly because

Focuses on the prevalence of the cause.

for the most part because

Acknowledges other factors but highlights the primary one.

in large part due to

Similar to 'mainly due to' but slightly less direct.

the chief reason is

Directly states the main reason.

the primary cause is

Focuses on identifying the main cause.

above all because

Implies it's most important factor.

FAQs

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

Use "this is chiefly because" to introduce the primary reason or explanation for a situation or event. For example, "The project was delayed; this is chiefly because of unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "this is chiefly because"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly because", "primarily because", or "largely due to" depending on the context.

Is "this is chiefly because" formal or informal?

"This is chiefly because" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "mostly because" or "mainly because".

What's the difference between "this is chiefly because" and "this is mainly because"?

While both phrases introduce a primary reason, "this is chiefly because" emphasizes that the reason is the most important one among several potential factors. "This is mainly because" simply indicates a major reason without necessarily excluding other significant factors.