a primary idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"a primary idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the main point, central theme, or starting point of an argument, plan, or piece of writing. For example: "Identifying a primary idea is essential for properly structuring an essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The experimental results showed that chemical analyze followed by XRF prior treatment of the samples, provided a primary idea concerning these prevailing impurities.

Journal of Molecular Structure

Built in the framework of the SOCRATES European programme, the INEITMUCON Thematic Network is based on a primary idea coming from EAEEIE (European Association for Education in Electrical and Information Engineering).

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

And so, a primary idea is an idea whose objective reality has its origin in the formal reality of some object, which when not the mind, is some extra-mental object.

SEP

"[E]ventually one must reach a primary idea, the cause of which will be like an archetype which contains formally (and in fact) all the reality (or perfection) which is present only objectively (or representatively) in the idea" (AT VII 41 2; CSM II 29, emphasis mine).

SEP

Descartes does not commit himself to taking NC as claiming that all of the objective reality in idea A must have its origin in the formal reality of object B. Rather, he seems to commit himself only to the view that if idea A represents object B, and idea A is a primary idea, then at least some of the idea's objective reality has its origin in the formal reality of object B.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It stems from a basic conceptual void in which the primary idea was to destroy a government and in which all other considerations -- if there were any -- were set aside.

The New York Times

Changing the primary calendar is related to the national primary idea and often proposed as a way to make the nominating system better.

Huffington Post

Although the primary idea of the reversal gene drive is a recovery switch from the inserted genetic changes, it cannot be said that it is a recovery switch for the ecological changes that would be introduced to the ecosystem.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The primary idea is to build the balanced classifiers with a sampling strategy and a smooth hinge loss function and then parallelize the training process of these classifiers with several multi-core computers.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

The primary idea is to transform the initial nonlinear/nonconvex problem into a convex one by using convex relaxations, such as the semidefinite relaxation and second-order cone relaxation.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The primary idea is 'obsessively intent on one idea.' It buzzes on one note.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "a primary idea", ensure it's clearly defined and well-supported with evidence or reasoning to establish its significance.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a primary idea" without providing sufficient background or explanation. Readers need to understand why it's considered primary and how it relates to the overall topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a fundamental or foundational concept. Ludwig examples show it referring to the main concept or underlying purpose.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary idea" denotes a fundamental or foundational concept, serving as the core upon which further understanding is built. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, particularly in Science and News & Media. While not extremely common, its use is straightforward, emphasizing the importance of contextual support and clear definition when introducing such an idea. Alternatives like "a central concept" or "a foundational principle" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central concept

Replaces 'primary' with 'central', emphasizing the importance of the concept.

a core notion

Substitutes 'primary idea' with 'core notion', highlighting the fundamental aspect of the idea.

a basic concept

Uses 'basic' instead of 'primary' to indicate a fundamental understanding.

a foundational principle

Replaces 'idea' with 'principle', implying a guiding rule or belief.

a key concept

Emphasizes the importance of the idea by using 'key'.

a main theme

Focuses on the overarching subject matter or topic.

a fundamental concept

Highlights the essential nature of the concept.

an initial thought

Highlights the starting point of an idea or plan.

a leading theory

Implies the most important or widely accepted theory.

the main premise

Highlights the foundational statement or assumption.

FAQs

How can I effectively introduce "a primary idea" in my writing?

Start by clearly stating the "primary idea" and then provide context and supporting evidence to demonstrate its importance and relevance to your topic. Consider using examples or analogies to enhance understanding.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a primary idea"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a central concept", "a core notion", or "a foundational principle" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a primary idea" the same as "a main idea"?

While similar, "a primary idea" often refers to the foundational or most important concept, whereas "a main idea" can refer to the central point of a specific section or argument. The distinction lies in the scope and depth of the idea's significance.

What makes an idea qualify as "a primary idea"?

An idea qualifies as "a primary idea" when it serves as the essential basis or starting point for further development, discussion, or understanding of a subject. It's the core concept upon which other ideas are built.