mains
Medium frequency in technical and British everyday contexts.Technical and everyday in British English; primarily technical in American English.
Definition
Meaning
The principal electrical supply to a building from a public utility.
In British English, can also refer to the public water or gas supply; informally, the main courses of a meal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used in plural form 'mains' when referring to utilities; often preceded by 'the'. In dining context, it is informal and plural.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'mains' is common for electricity, water, and gas supply; in American English, 'mains' is less common, with terms like 'main power', 'utility lines', or 'grid' preferred for electricity.
Connotations
In British English, 'mains' has a neutral, domestic connotation; in American English, it may sound technical or British-influenced.
Frequency
High frequency in British English domestic talk; low frequency in American English, where 'outlet' or 'wall socket' is often used for electrical points.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the mainson/off the mainsconnected to the mainsfrom the mainsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “off the mains”
- “on the mains”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in facilities management or electrical engineering for discussing building utilities.
Academic
Appears in engineering or physics papers regarding electrical power systems.
Everyday
Common in British English for talking about plugging devices or checking water pressure.
Technical
Specifies power source in manuals, e.g., 'mains voltage 230V'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Plug the TV into the mains to watch it.
- Our water comes from the mains.
- Make sure the computer is connected to the mains before turning it on.
- During the power cut, the mains supply was restored quickly.
- The electrician tested the mains voltage to ensure safety standards.
- In urban areas, most homes rely on the mains for gas and electricity.
- The building's design minimizes dependence on the mains by incorporating solar panels.
- Fluctuations in mains frequency can affect sensitive electronic equipment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'mains' as the 'main' sources for your home: electricity, water, gas—all from the mains.
Conceptual Metaphor
The mains as the lifeblood or central artery of a building's utilities.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'главные'; use 'сеть' for electrical mains or 'водопровод' for water mains.
- Confusing 'mains' with 'main' as in primary; 'mains' is always plural in utility context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'main' instead of 'mains' for utilities, e.g., 'connect to the main'.
- Incorrect verb agreement, e.g., 'the mains is' instead of 'the mains are', though both are sometimes accepted.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'mains' in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but less commonly; terms like 'main power' or 'utility power' are often preferred.
In British English, yes, 'mains' can refer to public water, gas, and electricity supplies.
It is always plural in form when referring to utilities, but can be treated as singular or plural in verb agreement depending on context.
'Main' is an adjective meaning primary, while 'mains' is a noun referring to the principal supply systems.