What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
generally
Example
Generally, people prefer to sleep at night and be awake during the day. [generally: adverb]
Example
The book generally covers the main topics of the subject, but some details may be missing. [generally: adverb]
mostly
Example
I mostly eat vegetables for lunch. [mostly: adverb]
Example
The concert was mostly attended by young people. [mostly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Generally is more commonly used than mostly in formal writing and academic contexts. Mostly is more common in informal speech and everyday conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between generally and mostly?
Generally is considered more formal than mostly. It is often used in academic writing, research papers, and formal reports. Mostly is more casual and is commonly used in everyday conversation and informal writing.
