What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chiefly
Example
He was late for the meeting chiefly because of traffic. [chiefly: adverb]
Example
The book is chiefly focused on the protagonist's journey. [chiefly: adjective]
mostly
Example
I mostly eat vegetables for dinner. [mostly: adverb]
Example
The party was attended by mostly young people. [mostly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mostly is more commonly used than chiefly in everyday language. Mostly is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while chiefly is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chiefly and mostly?
While chiefly is typically associated with a more formal tone, mostly is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
