How to use "principally"

What Does "principally" Mean?

• What it expresses: It is an adverb of extent or degree. It signifies that something is the most important, primary, or main factor among others. It is synonymous with "chiefly" or "mainly."
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It most frequently modifies prepositional phrases, verbs, or adjectives. It can also modify an entire clause when used as a sentence adverb.
• Register: It is a formal to highly formal term. It is common in academic, journalistic, legal, and business writing, but it is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation.

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: The most natural position is the mid-position (between the subject and main verb, or after the first auxiliary verb). However, it is also frequently found immediately before the specific phrase or category it emphasizes.
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning: By using "principally," a writer acknowledges that multiple factors exist but singles out one as the dominant force. For example, "The project failed principally because of funding" implies there were other minor reasons, but money was the primary one.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted (placed at the start of a sentence) for emphasis, though this is less common. It works well with negation (e.g., "not principally for profit") and can be used in questions, though it may sound overly stiff.
• What sounds unnatural: Placing "principally" at the very end of a sentence (final position) often feels clunky unless it is part of a parenthetical afterthought. Using it in a very informal context (e.g., "I'm principally going to the mall for shoes") sounds out of place.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from principally on Ludwig.guru.

"Yes, it is principally about the soil, its fertility and the lack of chemicals and pesticides used, but it's also about "the unseen forces and energies of life and growth that permeate all living things"." — The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The questions economists seek to answer, the tools they use to help find the answers (that's principally maths, rather than the applied topics that research suggests women are drawn to), the standard assumptions they make along the way (that people are emotionless, free and selfish), and the things they choose to measure all reflect a traditional and stereotypical male way of looking at the world." — The Guardian

"British shareholders could also make money by investing in Indian infrastructure, principally the railways, where the Indian government attracted funds by guaranteeing returns on capital of 5% net per year." — The Guardian - Opinion

"As emperor his duties are largely ceremonial, consisting principally of state visits and apologising to other Asian countries for Japan's wartime conduct." — The Guardian

"It was the Saudis, principally, who (encouraged by the US) funded the mujahideen in Afghanistan in their fight against Soviet occupation." — The Guardian

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/principally

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
mainly	The most common neutral alternative; suitable for almost any context.
chiefly	Slightly more literary or formal; emphasizes the 'head' or primary reason.
primarily	Highly versatile and professional; often used in scientific or technical reports.
largely	Shorter and more neutral; works in both spoken and written registers.
predominantly	Used when one element has numerical or physical dominance over others.
mostly	The most informal choice; preferred in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong Scope: Placing the adverb too far from the word it modifies can create ambiguity. Ensure it sits directly before the noun phrase or verb it is highlighting.
• Register Mismatch: Using "principally" in a text message or a casual email can make the writer seem pretentious or overly stiff.
• Confusing with 'Principle': Learners often confuse it with 'principally' as a synonym for 'morally,' or misspell it as 'principlely.' Remember that principally relates to the word "principal" (main/chief), not "principle" (a moral rule).

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
principally	Expresses primary importance or main cause	Formal	Mid-position or before the modified phrase

FAQs

Where in a sentence should principally appear for the best flow?

The word principally is most effective in the mid-position, placed between the subject and the main verb or immediately following an auxiliary verb. It can also be placed directly before a prepositional phrase to emphasize that specific category. Avoid placing it at the very end of a sentence, as this often weakens the impact of the adverb.

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What is the main difference between principally and primarily?

While both words are synonyms used to denote importance, primarily is more common in general professional contexts and suggests the first step in a sequence or the basic foundation. Principally is slightly more formal and specifically highlights the most important factor among a set of existing options. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but principally carries a heavier rhetorical weight in academic writing.

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Is it correct to use principally to describe someone's moral character?

No, you should not use principally to mean "acting according to moral principles." This is a common mistake where learners confuse the adverb with the noun "principle"; the correct term for moral behavior is "principled." Additionally, ensure you do not use the non-existent spelling principlely, as the only correct form is principally.