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a main vs the main

Both 'a main' and 'the main' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A main' is used when referring to one of several main things, while 'the main' is used when referring to the most important or prominent main thing.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1580 views

a main

This phrase is correct when referring to one of several main things.

Use 'a main' when you want to indicate that something is one of several main elements or parts.

Examples:

  • The restaurant has a main dining area and a private room for events.
  • There is a main road that leads to the city center.
  • Released as a main attraction, it failed to interest audiences.
  • Ed, this drain probably leads to a main storm drain.
  • Providing early warning signals is a main objective of public health surveillance systems.
  • He was a main contributor for the freedom of speech movement in Russia.
  • Ryanair confirms Bergamo as a main base of milanese and Italian Art.
  • For sale in Chianti charming historic farmhouse consists of a main house with barn and swimming pool.
  • The Help Committee is also composed of a main team and its various subteams.
  • The submission contains a main document and annexes thereto.
  • Flat parsley is a main ingredient in Lebanese tabbouleh.
  • A sedentary lifestyle is a main cause of constipation.
  • The sun has all the properties of a main sequence dwarf star.
  • I was once driving down a main road in...
  • Tunnel ahead there's a main junction.
  • Robo-Warrior has a main competition, our conspiracy step.
  • Pollos Hermanos has a main distribution center.
  • A small intersection and a main road in 100m.
  • Now we have ourselves a main event.
  • Your story is missing a main character.
  • Your story is missing a main character.
  • It's a main steam valve.

Alternatives:

  • one of the main
  • one main
  • a primary
  • a key
  • a central

the main

This phrase is correct when referring to the most important or prominent main thing.

Use 'the main' when you want to refer to the primary or most significant main element or part.

Examples:

  • The main reason for the delay was the bad weather.
  • She is the main character in the movie.
  • The global liberalisation process is the main threat to European alcohol producers.
  • Cathinone's the main ingredient of bath salts.
  • This makes animal agriculture the main contributor to human-caused climate change.
  • And the main character gets her wish.
  • No vehicles off the main road.
  • Tunnel ahead is the main junction.
  • Sara Tidwell was performing on the main stage.
  • This island became the main Altracorp area tests.
  • The annual compensation payments constitute the main mechanism for compensating RTP.
  • Marriage is the main cause of all divorces.
  • TABLE 1 summarises the main recommendations.
  • Enables or disable the main application toolbar.
  • Toggles the main toolbar on/ off.
  • - provide the main occupation of the operator.
  • How the main window is divided.
  • Whether the main window should start maximized.
  • Fire constitutes the main natural threat to the Mediterranean forests.
  • Obviously, enlargement was the main topic in Brussels.
  • Women are currently the main bringers of social modernity.
  • Safety must be the main concern.

Alternatives:

  • the primary
  • the key
  • the central
  • the principal
  • the leading

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