a primary goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a primary goal' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a goal that is particularly important to someone or something. For example, "Improving customer service is a primary goal for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Taking out the guesswork is a primary goal of Energy Star.

The New York Times

Governments of developing countries make an increase in living standards a primary goal of national policy.

The New York Times

Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff said that a primary goal was to help Snapple boost business.

The New York Times

Sveum said a primary goal was to "keep the team loose".

The New York Times - Sports

Better treatment must be a primary goal of a national cancer program.

The New York Times

"Obviously, customer service is a primary goal for us," he said.

The New York Times

Goodell has said repeatedly that improving player safety is a primary goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Trying to break that bond has been a primary goal of the opposition.

The New York Times

A primary goal for heart attack prevention, Dr. Libby and others say, should be to keep inflammation to a minimum.

The New York Times - Science

Their detailed reliability and lifetime assessment should therefore be a primary goal.

Engineering Structures

Talking about importance of "significant IP protection" as a primary goal.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary goal", ensure it aligns with other objectives without creating conflicts. It should serve as a guiding principle for decision-making and resource allocation.

Common error

Avoid treating "a primary goal" as the only goal. Acknowledge secondary goals contribute to overall success. The primary goal should be the most important, but not necessarily the only consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary goal" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies a particular objective as being of utmost importance. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary goal" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies the most important objective in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for different contexts. Its frequency and consistent usage across various reliable sources, from science to media, demonstrate its effectiveness in conveying priorities. When using this phrase, ensure that it is aligned with overall objectives and does not overshadow secondary goals. By understanding its scope and purpose, you can effectively communicate and set priorities in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a chief aim

Replaces "goal" with "aim" and "primary" with "chief", both implying a top-level objective.

a central objective

Substitutes "primary" with "central" and "goal" with "objective", focusing on the core purpose.

a principal target

Replaces "goal" with "target" and "primary" with "principal", emphasizing the desired outcome.

a key objective

Uses "key" instead of "primary", indicating essential importance, while "objective" replaces "goal".

a leading priority

Replaces "goal" with "priority" and "primary" with "leading", suggesting top-level importance.

the main focus

Shifts the structure to emphasize focus, indicating the most important point of attention.

the foremost concern

Highlights concern over goal, suggesting the most pressing issue to address.

a critical endeavor

Emphasizes the importance of the effort itself, rather than the specific objective.

a crucial undertaking

Highlights the significance and necessity of the task being performed.

the overriding ambition

Uses a more motivational tone, replacing goal with ambition, suggesting a driving force.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary goal" to describe the most important objective in a given context. For example, "Customer satisfaction is a primary goal for our company."

What can I say instead of "a primary goal"?

You can use alternatives like "a key objective", "a central aim", or "a principal target depending on the context".

Is it correct to have multiple "primary goals"?

While it's possible to have multiple goals, using "primary" implies a single, overriding objective. If you have several important goals, consider prioritizing them or using terms like "key goals" or "main objectives" instead.

What's the difference between "a primary goal" and "a secondary goal"?

"A primary goal" is the most important objective, while a secondary goal is supportive but less critical. Think of the primary goal as the main target and secondary goals as the steps or supporting objectives that help achieve it.