English Reference

most vs mostly

Most functions as a determiner or pronoun to indicate the majority of a group, while mostly is an adverb meaning mainly or generally.

most

The largest part or majority.

Most students prefer to take their exams in the morning.

mostly

Mainly, usually, or for the most part.

The audience consisted mostly of teenagers and young adults.

Watch out
  • Mostly people in this city use public transport to get to work.

    Most people in this city use public transport to get to work.

  • The new menu is most vegetarian with a few fish options.

    The new menu is mostly vegetarian with a few fish options.

Remember Most = Quantity. Mostly = Frequency or Quality.

Fill the gap with one of the two options.

  1. 1.

    She spent of her inheritance on a new apartment downtown.

  2. 2.

    It was a sunny day, though the sky remained cloudy.

More like this in Grammar and structure.