a primary conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental belief or principle that strongly influences a person's thoughts or actions. Example: "Her commitment to social justice is rooted in a primary conviction that everyone deserves equal rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their primary conviction is that contemporary society has been ruined by the anxieties, niceties, and dizzying social-media infighting promulgated by so-called "political correctness".

Huffington Post

The Los Angeles County Public Defender's office plans to use the National Academy report to file challenges on the admissibility of fingerprint evidence and is reviewing cases in which fingerprints played a primary role in convictions, officials said.

Los Angeles Times

It is vital to understand the processes that underlie eyewitness identification because faulty eyewitness identification is a primary contributor to wrongful convictions (contributing to 72%% of the wrongful convictions litigated by the Innocence Project).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Why does the U.S. imprison its citizens at a higher rate than any other country in the world and why is drug use a primary source of criminal convictions here?

Huffington Post

The officials said that Mr. Hernandez was not a primary target of their operation, but that he had two convictions for driving with an expired license.

The New York Times

It is both stunning and sad to see a man who has been a model of courage and conviction simply toss his principles aside in the face of a primary challenge from a failed politician/talk show host.

Huffington Post

PAGE A24 Comeback for Marion Barry Marion S. Barry Jr., the former Washington mayor whose career was tarnished by his conviction on a drug possession charge in 1990, won a startling victory in a primary race for City Council.

The New York Times

As a primary aim in this methodological study was to explore the relationship between treatment and criminal convictions, stratifying on treatment groups was not a preferable alternative.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Note that we do not distinguish between a primary pathology in neuronal populations encoding prior beliefs that could misappropriate attention or a primary pathology of attention that produces prior beliefs held with undue conviction (precision).

Brain

Select a Primary weapon.

WikiHow

Choose a primary monitor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary conviction", ensure that the context clearly establishes what that conviction is and how it influences the subject's actions or beliefs.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary conviction" without providing sufficient context. Ensure the reader understands precisely what the conviction entails and its relevance to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary conviction" functions as a noun phrase, where "primary" modifies the noun "conviction". It denotes a fundamental and guiding belief that significantly influences one's thoughts, actions, or decisions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary conviction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a fundamental and deeply held belief that guides one's actions and decisions. While Ludwig indicates it is grammatically correct, the phrase has limited examples available. Alternatives such as ""a core belief"" or ""a fundamental principle"" can be used for similar effect. It is essential to provide sufficient context when using the phrase to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core belief

Emphasizes the centrality and importance of the belief.

a fundamental principle

Highlights the foundational nature of the principle.

a basic tenet

Focuses on the essential doctrine or principle.

a deep-seated belief

Stresses the entrenched and profound nature of the belief.

a strong conviction

Highlights the intensity and firmness of the belief.

a central idea

Focuses on the main concept or thought.

a guiding principle

Emphasizes the role of the principle in guiding actions and decisions.

a bedrock belief

Highlights the foundational and unwavering nature of the belief.

an ingrained conviction

Focuses on how deeply the conviction is rooted within a person.

a prevailing belief

Highlights the widespread acceptance of the belief.

FAQs

How can I use "a primary conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "a primary conviction" to describe a fundamental belief that influences someone's actions or decisions. For example, "Her dedication to environmentalism stems from "a primary conviction" that we must protect the planet for future generations".

What phrases are similar to "a primary conviction"?

Alternatives to "a primary conviction" include "a core belief", "a fundamental principle", or "a strong conviction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a primary conviction" formal or informal?

"A primary conviction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a relatively neutral phrase that can be used in academic writing, news articles, or everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "a belief" and "a primary conviction"?

While "a belief" is a general term for something someone holds to be true, ""a primary conviction"" implies a more deeply held and fundamental belief that strongly influences one's actions and values. It suggests a foundational principle guiding their life.