ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mainly

adv. degree
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈmeɪnɫi// UK //mˈeɪnli// main·ly Archaic General-service

adv. mostly or for the most part. You use this to talk about the most important reason or the biggest part of something.

adv. principally or for the most part; used to indicate the primary focus or cause of a situation.


SIMPLE

The group consists mainly of students.

CONTEXTUAL

I chose this apartment mainly because it is close to my office and has a low rent.

COMPLEX

The success of the new product line was attributed mainly to an aggressive social media campaign that targeted younger demographics more effectively than traditional television advertising.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English maynly; equivalent to main + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed before the word or phrase it modifies, or after the verb 'to be'.

Pitfall

I mainly am interested in art.I am mainly interested in art.When used with the verb 'to be', the adverb should follow the verb rather than precede it.

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