this is mostly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is mostly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is primarily or largely true, but with some exceptions or qualifications. Example: "This is mostly a positive experience, although there were a few challenges along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is mostly nonsense.

The Economist

This is mostly hogwash.

The Washington Post

This is mostly theatre.

The New Yorker

Scientifically, this is mostly virgin ground.

The New York Times - Magazine

Any tasting like this is mostly educational.

The New York Times - Food

This is mostly true today, too.

The New York Times

This is mostly out of editorial necessity.

The New Yorker

But this is mostly a veneer.

The Economist

This is mostly bunk, of course.

The New Yorker

This is mostly political melodrama.

The Washington Post

But this is mostly myth.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is mostly" to accurately reflect situations where a statement holds true for the majority of cases, but not all. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "this is mostly" when the exceptions are significant or negate the overall truth of the statement. In such cases, a more qualified or specific statement is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is mostly" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement, indicating the degree to which it is true. Ludwig AI confirms its common use across various contexts. Examples show it qualifying assertions, suggesting partial accuracy or prevalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is mostly" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to express that a statement is generally true but may have exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the degree of truth in a statement and serving to provide a nuanced assessment. Commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, its neutral register allows for broad applicability. Writers should use "this is mostly" to add precision to their statements, recognizing that while generally true, exceptions may exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is primarily

Replaces 'mostly' with 'primarily', emphasizing the principal aspect.

This is largely

Substitutes 'mostly' with 'largely', indicating a significant portion.

This is mainly

Uses 'mainly' instead of 'mostly', focusing on the principal component.

This is chiefly

Replaces 'mostly' with 'chiefly', highlighting the main reason or element.

This is predominantly

Substitutes 'mostly' with 'predominantly', suggesting the prevailing aspect.

This is generally

Uses 'generally' instead of 'mostly', indicating a common or widespread condition.

This is typically

Replaces 'mostly' with 'typically', suggesting a common occurrence.

For the most part, this is

Adds the introductory phrase 'for the most part' to emphasize the overall condition.

By and large, this is

Uses the idiom 'by and large' to indicate a general statement.

This is substantially

Substitutes 'mostly' with 'substantially', indicating a considerable amount or degree.

FAQs

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

Use "this is mostly" to indicate that something is generally true, but there are exceptions. For example, "This is mostly a positive experience, although there were a few challenges along the way."

What are some alternatives to saying "this is mostly"?

Alternatives include "this is primarily", "this is largely", or "this is mainly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this is mostly"?

Yes, "this is mostly" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is true in most cases but not universally.

What's the difference between "this is mostly" and "this is entirely"?

"This is mostly" indicates that something is true in the majority of cases, while "this is entirely" suggests that something is true in every instance without exception.