mostly

/ˈməʊstli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈməʊstli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmōst-lē/ (ame, mw)

mostly — adverb

1. used to say that something is true about the largest part of a group, amount, or

1.副詞B1
釋義

used to say that something is true about the largest part of a group, amount, or situation, but not necessarily all of it

例句

The children in this class are mostly seven years old.

mostly after 'be' with complement

Anya mostly takes the bus when she goes into the city.

mostly before main verb

同義詞
  • mainly

    the closest synonym; interchangeable in almost all contexts

  • largely

    slightly more formal; emphasises scale rather than simple majority

  • chiefly

    more formal; often used to list the most important reasons or components

  • for the most part

    a longer, slightly more conversational phrase covering the same meaning

反義詞
  • slightly

    opposite on a scale of degree — 'mostly' implies a large part, 'slightly' implies a small part

  • barely

    emphasises the smallest possible amount, the opposite of 'mostly'

文法句型

mostly before main verb

mostly after 'be'

mostly at start of clause for contrast

用法筆記

Unlike 'almost' or 'most of', 'mostly' refers to proportion or frequency, not near-completeness. It typically appears before the main verb but after the verb 'be'. In formal writing, 'mostly' is common; 'chiefly' or 'largely' are slightly more formal alternatives.

常見錯誤

❌Mostly everyone agreed with the plan.
✅Almost everyone agreed with the plan.
💡'mostly' describes proportion of a thing, not near-completeness; use 'almost' before 'everyone/everything'.
❌She spends mostly her free time reading.
✅She spends most of her free time reading.
💡'mostly' is an adverb and cannot replace 'most of' before a noun phrase.