What is predominantly? Pronunciation and usage in English

predominantly means . Learn how to pronounce and use predominantly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of predominantly

predominantlyadverb

/prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli//prɪˈdɑːmɪnəntli/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "predominantly." It's a tricky word! Here's a breakdown with phonetic transcription and tips:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/prɪˌdɒmɪˈnəntli/

Let's break down each part:

  • prɪ: (like "pry" as in to open something) - This is a quick, unstressed syllable.
  • ˌdɒmɪ: (the pause here is important!) – This is where it gets tricky. It sounds like “dom-ee”. The “i” is a short, quick “i” as in “bit.”
  • ˈnənt: (like “nant” as in “plant”) – This syllable is stressed – it’s the most emphasized part of the word. The ‘n’ is clear.
  • li: (like "lee" as in "see") - This is the final, unstressed "ly" suffix.

2. Word-by-Word Breakdown and Emphasis:

  • pre-: sounds like “pre” as in “pre-tend”
  • dom-: sounds like “dom” as in “dominate”
  • in-: sounds like “in” as in “in-side”
  • antly: As explained above, “dom-ee-ant-lee”

3. Putting it Together (with emphasis):

Try saying it slowly, focusing on the stressed syllables:

“Pri-dom-i-nant-lee”

4. Tips and Common Mispronunciations:

  • The Pause (ˌ): Don’t rush the second syllable (“dɒmɪ”). A short pause after “pre” is helpful. Think of it as “pre – dom-i-nant.”
  • Don’t say “predominant”: It’s not "predominant." It’s "predominantly."
  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "predominantly" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/predominantly/ (This site has pronunciations by native speakers.)
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce predominantly" – you’ll find lots of videos.

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

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What specifically are you struggling with in pronouncing it (e.g., the “dom” part, the pause)?

Usage and examples with the word predominantly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "predominantly" effectively in English. It's a useful word for describing the main or most common element in a group, situation, or collection.

1. Meaning and Core Concept

"Predominantly" means mainly, mostly, or chiefly. It indicates that something is primarily composed of one thing, but might include a smaller amount of something else. It suggests a clear tendency or balance.

2. Grammatical Structure

  • Adverb: It's almost always used as an adverb. It modifies a noun or verb phrase.
  • Placement: It typically comes before the word it modifies.

3. How to Use It – Examples

Here’s how “predominantly” works in various contexts:

  • Describing a Population/Group:

    • "The population of the city is predominantly young." (Meaning: Mostly young people live in the city, but there are also older residents.)
    • "Our team is predominantly composed of engineers." (Meaning: The majority of the team members are engineers.)
    • “The voters were predominantly supportive of the new policy.” (Most voters favored the policy.)

  • Describing Features/Characteristics:

    • "The landscape is predominantly mountainous." (Meaning: Mountains are the most noticeable feature of the landscape.)
    • "The cuisine is predominantly Italian." (Meaning: Italian food is the main type of food available.)
    • "The melody is predominantly in a major key." (A major key is the dominant element in the music.)

  • Describing Colors/Styles:

    • “The room was decorated in predominantly blues and greens.” (Blue and green were the main colors.)
    • “The design is predominantly minimalist with subtle pops of color.” (The design’s primary style is minimalist.)

4. Distinguishing from “Primarily”

"Predominantly" and "primarily" are often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference. “Primarily” can sometimes suggest a single primary element, while “predominantly” suggests a balance or leaning towards one thing, even if there's a smaller amount of others.

  • Example:
    • "The project is primarily focused on data analysis." (It's mostly about data analysis, with a smaller part for something else.)
    • "The survey results were predominantly favorable, but there was a significant minority expressing concern." (Most responses were positive, but a substantial group had reservations.)

5. Tips for Using It Correctly

  • Context is Key: Always consider the context to ensure “predominantly” accurately reflects the balance of elements you’re describing.
  • Avoid Overuse: It's a slightly more formal word. Use it when you genuinely want to emphasize the main aspect. Sometimes "mainly," "mostly," or "primarily" are simpler and just as effective.
  • Don't Use it with Verbs of Being: You generally wouldn't say "The room was predominantly blue." Instead, you'd say “The room was mostly blue.”

Resources for Further Learning:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., describing a report, a painting, a scientific study)?
  • Help you practice using "predominantly" in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word predominantly

Practice with vocabulary predominantly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The university's research output is now ______________ focused on renewable energy sources.
  2. The company's client base is ______________ comprised of small to medium-sized businesses.
  3. To improve efficiency, the new software solution aims to ______________ automate repetitive tasks.
  4. The CEO's address at the annual conference was ______________ about the company's vision for the next decade.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The university's student body is ______________ composed of international scholars. a) entirely b) predominantly c) scarcely d) negligibly e) largely

  2. The region's economy relies ______________ on tourism and agriculture. a) scarcely b) peripherally c) predominantly d) minimally e) solely

  3. Customer feedback indicated that satisfaction with the new product was ______________ positive. a) predominantly b) entirely c) rarely d) marginally e) chiefly

  4. The company plans to ______________ expand into new markets next year. a) marginally b) significantly c) scarcely d) superficially e) negligibly

  5. His motivation for pursuing a master's degree was ______________ driven by a desire for career advancement. a) rarely b) incidentally c) primarily d) occasionally e) peripherally

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: A large majority of the urban population now lives in apartments. Rewrite: The urban population now ______________ lives in apartments.

  2. Original: The project team was made up almost entirely of engineers from the software department. Rewrite: The project team consisted ______________ of engineers from the software department.

  3. Original: The core issue discussed during the summit was climate change. Rewrite: The summit discussions focused ______________ on climate change.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The university's research output is now predominantly focused on renewable energy sources.
  2. The company's client base is predominantly comprised of small to medium-sized businesses.
  3. To improve efficiency, the new software solution aims to fully automate repetitive tasks.
  4. The CEO's address at the annual conference was primarily about the company's vision for the next decade.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The university's student body is (b) predominantly, (e) largely composed of international scholars.
  2. The region's economy relies (c) predominantly on tourism and agriculture.
  3. Customer feedback indicated that satisfaction with the new product was (a) predominantly, (e) chiefly positive.
  4. The company plans to (b) significantly expand into new markets next year.
  5. His motivation for pursuing a master's degree was (c) primarily driven by a desire for career advancement.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The urban population now predominantly lives in apartments.
  2. The project team consisted predominantly of engineers from the software department.
  3. The summit discussions focused primarily on climate change.

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