Meaning & use
principally
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Meaning
adverbnot comparableformal
Above all else; for the most part or most importantly.
Grammar: Placed before the thing it highlights: it is principally a matter of cost.
Patterns
- principally because/for/in something
- principally of something
The town is known principally for its glass factory.
The delay was principally caused by bad weather.
The course is aimed principally at beginners.
Common combinations
- principally concerned with
- The study is principally concerned with sleep.
- principally because
- We chose it principally because of the price.
- principally responsible
- He was principally responsible for the plan.
- principally due to
- Growth was principally due to exports.
- known principally for
- She is known principally for her poetry.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mainly
- Mainly is the everyday equivalent and fits almost every context, while principally sounds more formal.
- chiefly
- Chiefly is similar but a little more literary and stresses the most important cause.
- primarily
- Primarily means in the first place and often stresses priority, not just proportion.
- largely
- Largely implies a big part but not necessarily the single most important one.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: principally or principle?
principally vs principle
Principle is a rule or belief; principal means main. Principally uses the -al spelling.
Practice
The museum is famous ____ for its collection of ancient coins, though it holds other items too.
Choose one answer.
Principally means mainly, which fits a museum known most for coins. Principle is a noun and the other options are not grammatical here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “principally”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.