The phrase "a primary if not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the main or most important factor, with the possibility of it being the only one or one of several significant factors.
Example: "The project was a primary if not the only reason for the company's recent success."
Alternatives: "a key if not the main" or "a principal if not the sole".
Throughout the campaign, he said he would not take part in a primary if he did not get the official nod.
The current practice guidelines as mentioned in American Academy of Family Physicians recommends a tetanus booster every 10 years, a primary series if not done previously and a 'do not administer' if life expectancy is less than two years (8).
Kos is threatening Dennis Kucinich, of all people, with a primary if he doesn't vote for health care "reform".
It looks like you'd be ripe for a primary if you don't keep your promise," said Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas).
In courses where evolution is at least a primary component, if not the sole topic, respondents report covering a wide range of aspects of evolutionary theory [3-way Chi Square used to compare all courses; Not Addressed X 2 (57, N = 438) = 49.1; Addressed Superficially X 2 (57, N = 438) = 40.52; Addressed Significantly X 2 (57, N = 438) = 21.66, p > 0.05; Fig. 4].
Indeed, a principal, if not primary, role of CCN2 is to modulate adhesive signaling [ 3- 5].
Tens of years ago, a PC was our primary, if not sole, piece of "technology".
Recent reporting claims Cuomo is planning a run, but would he take on Paterson in a primary if the governor did not step aside?
And Sprightly isn't just trying to solve the on-the-go challenge of easier graphic creation – it's also trying to offer a tool for those whose smartphones or mobile devices are their primary, if not their only, means of working.
It was curious that in Mr. Tommasini's article he only tangentially referred to what should be the primary if not the sole measure used to assess an orchestra's performance: how good the music sounds.
