What is largely? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "largely" in English. It's a versatile word that adds nuance to your writing and speech.

1. Basic Meaning:

"Largely" means mostly, predominantly, or to a great extent. It indicates that something is true or applies for the majority of a situation, but not necessarily entirely true for every single case.

2. How to Use It in Sentences:

Here's a breakdown with examples:

• Describing a General Trend: This is the most common use.

  • "The company's profits largely increased due to the new marketing campaign." (Profits increased mostly because of the campaign.)
  • "Student attendance largely depends on the weather." (Attendance is mostly affected by the weather.)
  • "The film was largely praised for its stunning visuals." (The film received mostly positive reviews for its visuals.)

• Expressing a Degree of Influence:

  • “His success largely resulted from his hard work and dedication.” (His success was mainly caused by his work.)
  • “The project’s outcome largely depended on the team’s cooperation.” (The outcome primarily relied on the team’s working together.)

• Modifying Verbs (Less Common, but Possible): You can use it to modify a verb, implying a significant degree.

  • "He largely agreed with the proposal." (He agreed mostly or very strongly with the proposal.) – This is more formal than simply saying "He agreed with the proposal."

3. Important Considerations & Alternatives:

• Not Absolute: “Largely” always suggests a partial truth. Don't use it if you mean "completely" or "entirely."

  • Incorrect: "The room was largely empty." (This implies there were some people there.)
  • Correct: "The room was empty." (This means there were no people.)

• Synonyms: Here are some words you can often use interchangeably with "largely," depending on the context:

  • Mostly
  • Primarily
  • Mainly
  • Predominantly
  • To a great extent
  • For the most part
  • In the main

• Formal vs. Informal: "Largely" is generally considered more formal than "mostly" or "mainly." “Mostly” is often a perfectly fine and more common choice.

4. Example Paragraph Demonstrating Usage:

"The research findings largely support the hypothesis that increased exercise leads to improved cognitive function. However, the study did acknowledge that individual responses can vary, and other factors, such as diet and sleep, largely contribute to overall brain health. Therefore, while exercise is beneficial, it’s not a guaranteed cure-all, and a holistic approach is recommended."

Resources for Further Learning:

• Grammarly Blog: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/largely/ (A good explanation and examples)
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/largely (Provides definition and usage notes)

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To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of writing/speaking are you using "largely" in? (e.g., academic essays, informal conversations, business reports?)
• Can you give me an example sentence you’re trying to improve with “largely”?