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I tried to translate "mostly".

I just dont get the в before the word.

Is it something you add to indicate you're talking about a quantity that isn't compared to nothing else?

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Composition-wise, ''в основном'' is like ''in general.'' The preposition ''в'' in ''в основном'' works just as the preposition ''in'' works in ''in general.'' I hope this analogy clarifies the issue.

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  • Thanks!, It also explains why "I miss mostly the compliments" cant be translated with в основном.
    – Ibn Rushd
    Commented May 19, 2019 at 17:41
  • @IbnRushd Actually you can say : Я не понимаю, в основном, комплименты. - in casual speech it sounds OK
    – alexsms
    Commented May 20, 2019 at 12:22

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