this is mainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is mainly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily or chiefly a certain way or aspect. Example: "This is mainly a discussion about the impact of climate change on agriculture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is mainly for girls.

WikiHow

This is mainly babble.

The New York Times

This is mainly a theoretical phenomenon.

The Economist

This is mainly for ordinary criminals".

Independent

This is mainly a European problem.

The New York Times

And this is mainly what you observe.

Cornell University

This is mainly a marketing distinction.

The New York Times - Arts

This is mainly down to numbers.

The Guardian - Film

This is mainly because of the bears.

The Guardian

"This is mainly a Triple-A job.

The New York Times - Sports

This is mainly due to lack of infrastructural costs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is mainly" to clearly indicate the primary focus or aspect of a subject, ensuring your reader understands the main point.

Common error

Avoid using "this is mainly" in overly complex sentences where the primary focus is already clear from the context. Simpler phrasing can often improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is mainly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the primary or principal aspect of something. Ludwig provides examples showing how it qualifies statements across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is mainly" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to emphasize the primary aspect of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability and the examples demonstrate its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. While suitable for both formal and informal scenarios, alternatives such as "this is primarily" or "this is chiefly" may offer more precision in certain contexts. Overall, "this is mainly" serves as a reliable tool for clear and focused communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is primarily

Replaces "mainly" with "primarily", indicating the chief or principal aspect.

This is chiefly

Substitutes "mainly" with "chiefly", emphasizing the principal or most important element.

This is principally

Replaces "mainly" with "principally", indicating something's main cause or reason.

This is predominantly

Uses "predominantly" instead of "mainly", suggesting a prevailing or dominant aspect.

This is largely

Replaces "mainly" with "largely", indicating a significant portion or extent.

This is mostly

Substitutes "mainly" with "mostly", indicating the greatest part or amount.

This is essentially

Replaces "mainly" with "essentially", emphasizing the fundamental nature of something.

This is basically

Substitutes "mainly" with "basically", indicating the fundamental or core aspect.

This is fundamentally

Replaces "mainly" with "fundamentally", highlighting the basic or essential character.

This is particularly

Uses "particularly" instead of "mainly", specifying something is notably a certain way.

FAQs

What does "this is mainly" mean?

"This is mainly" means that something is primarily or chiefly a certain way or aspect. It indicates the main focus or characteristic of a subject.

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

You can use "this is mainly" to highlight the most important aspect of a topic. For example, "This course is mainly focused on practical applications".

What can I say instead of "this is mainly"?

You can use alternatives like "this is primarily", "this is chiefly", or "this is mostly" depending on the context.

Is "this is mainly" formal or informal?

"This is mainly" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using "this is principally" for a more sophisticated tone.