mainly
/ˈmeɪnli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmeɪnli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmān-lē/ (ame, mw)
mainly — 副詞
1. used to say that something is true in most cases, or that a particular reason, f
主要
表示最主要的原因、部分或特徵
used to say that something is true in most cases, or that a particular reason, fact, or part is the most important one
The delay was mainly caused by the heavy snow on the motorway.
延誤主要是由高速公路上的大雪造成的。
passive: be mainly + caused by [reason factor]
Sade chose that university mainly because of its excellent music programme.
Sade 選擇那所大學主要是因為它的音樂課程很棒。
mainly because of [noun phrase] — reason focus
The audience was mainly made up of young families from the local area.
觀眾主要是由當地年輕家庭組成的。
Samir reads mainly fiction, but he sometimes picks up a history book.
Samir 主要讀小說，但有時候也會拿起歷史書來看。
Putri's job involves mainly dealing with customer complaints over the phone.
Putri 的工作主要是在電話上處理客戶投訴。
- mostly
Similar in meaning but 'mostly' emphasises the largest part of a group, while 'mainly' often highlights a primary reason or purpose
- primarily
More formal than 'mainly'; common in academic and professional writing
- chiefly
Slightly more formal and less frequent in everyday speech, but interchangeable in most contexts
- largely
Emphasises the extent or scale of something rather than singling out the most important factor
- partially
Suggests only a portion, not the majority
- secondarily
Indicates something of lesser importance, the opposite of what 'mainly' picks out
文法句型
mainly + verb phrase
mainly + noun phrase
mainly because of / due to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can be placed before the main verb (e.g., 'mainly reads'), after the verb 'be' ('is mainly'), or directly before a noun phrase ('mainly fiction'). Unlike 'mostly', 'mainly' is more often used to point to a reason or purpose rather than a numerical majority.