B1 adverb Neutral

principalement

/pʁɛ̃.si.pal.mɑ̃/

For the most part; mainly. Used to highlight the most important element of a group or reason.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Elle mange principalement des légumes.

She eats mainly vegetables.

2

Nous recrutons principalement des ingénieurs.

We recruit mainly engineers.

3

Je suis ici principalement pour me reposer.

I am here mainly to rest.

Word Family

Noun
principe
Adverb
principalement
Adjective
principal
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Principally'.

Quick Quiz

Ce festival attire ___ des touristes étrangers.

Correct!

The correct answer is: principalement

Examples

1

Elle mange principalement des légumes.

everyday

She eats mainly vegetables.

2

Nous recrutons principalement des ingénieurs.

business

We recruit mainly engineers.

3

Je suis ici principalement pour me reposer.

informal

I am here mainly to rest.

4

L'étude porte principalement sur les jeunes urbains.

academic

The study focuses mainly on urban youth.

5

Ce succès est dû principalement à votre travail.

formal

This success is due mainly to your work.

Word Family

Noun
principe
Adverb
principalement
Adjective
principal

Common Collocations

consister principalement en to consist mainly of
être principalement utilisé to be mainly used
viser principalement to aim mainly at
travailler principalement sur to work mainly on
connu principalement pour known mainly for

Common Phrases

principalement à cause de

mainly because of

c'est principalement pourquoi

that is mainly why

principalement dans le but de

mainly with the aim of

Often Confused With

principalement vs surtout

Surtout is more common in speech; principalement is slightly more formal and precise.

📝

Usage Notes

Place it after the verb or between the auxiliary and the past participle.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Don't confuse the spelling with 'principale' (the adjective). Adverbs usually end in -ment.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Principally'.

📖

Word Origin

From 'principal' and the suffix '-ment'.

Grammar Patterns

Verb + principalement Auxiliary + principalement + Past Participle

Quick Quiz

Ce festival attire ___ des touristes étrangers.

Correct!

The correct answer is: principalement

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free