Words / C1

pri-DOM-in-uh-ntlee/prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/

Predominantly means mainly; for the most part: predominantly female, predominantly night-shift. Mainly is everyday; predominantly names the larger share without saying “only”. Do not write predominantly if you mean the whole cohort and you have not counted.

Meaning

Mainly; for the most part.

Examples

• “The cohort was predominantly night-shift; the daytime FAQ missed them.”
• “Mainly is everyday. Largely is a cousin. Predominant is the adjective. Exclusively means only. If the FAQ assumes day hours, the adverb in the paper is a finding that should change the FAQ.”

Good to know

Mainly; mostly. Everyday: mainly. Adjective: predominant. Not the same as exclusively. Count, then write the adverb.

Near in meaning

majority

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