When it comes to the spelling of words, English can be a bit tricky. One common dilemma that many people face is deciding whether to use “mainley” or “mainly.” Both spellings might seem plausible, but in fact, only one of them is correct: “mainly.”
“Mainly” is an adverb that means primarily or mostly. It is used to describe the main or most important part of something. For example, if you were talking about a book, you might say, “The novel mainly focuses on the themes of love and betrayal.” Here, “mainly” emphasizes that the primary emphasis of the book is on those particular themes.
To understand why “mainley” is incorrect, let’s delve a bit into the rules of English spelling. In general, adverbs ending in -ly are formed by adding this suffix to an adjective. For instance, “beautiful” becomes “beautifully,” “quick” becomes “quickly,” and “angry” becomes “angrily.” The same rule applies to the adjective “main,” which becomes “mainly.” It’s important to note that there are exceptions to the -ly rule, such as “fast” (which remains “fast” as an adverb), but “main” is not one of them.
To further illustrate the correct usage of “mainly,” let’s explore a few more examples. Consider the sentence, “I go to the gym mainly to stay fit.” Here, “mainly” clarifies the primary reason for going to the gym, which is to maintain fitness. Another example would be, “She was mainly responsible for the success of the project.” In this case, “mainly” emphasizes the key role the person played in achieving the project’s success.
Using “mainley” instead of “mainly” can lead to confusion and make your writing appear unprofessional. Imagine reading a sentence like, “The documentary was mainley about climate change.” It not only looks incorrect, but it also jars the reader’s comprehension. By using the correct spelling, “The documentary was mainly about climate change,” the sentence becomes clearer and more coherent.
In summary, the correct spelling is “mainly,” not “mainley.” As an adverb, “mainly” is used to describe something that is primarily or mostly happening. Remember that adverbs ending in -ly are formed by adding this suffix to an adjective, as in “mainly” from the adjective “main.” Using the incorrect spelling can lead to confusion and detract from the professionalism of your writing. So, whether you’re preparing for the IELTS exam or writing an essay, make sure to use “mainly” instead of “mainley” to ensure clear and accurate communication.