a primary problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important issue in a discussion or analysis. Example: "The study identified a primary problem in the current healthcare system that needs to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

There are many causes, but a primary problem is conformism.

The Washington Post

And yet the party does have a primary problem.

The Economist

A primary problem with modern godparenting is no one knows what to do.

The New York Times

A primary problem, he said, is that the nutrient solutions tend to corrode the blood ves sels.

The New York Times

A primary problem noted was the treatment of the edge between the built and natural environment.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Design of reasonable membership functions (MFs) is a primary problem for the fuzzy modeling method.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Further analyses investigated whether clinical outcomes (on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7) varied as a function of the duration of a patient's primary problem.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Taken together, these issues suggest that, in the absence of a correction to the primary problem, buffering a hypercapnic acidosis with bicarbonate is not likely to be of benefit.

Critical Care

Basis risk is a systematic and primary problem in WII, which originates from geography and production.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Emanuel said that "I don't want to be a reductionist, but the primary problem in health care is the financial incentive system".

Huffington Post

The primary problem remains a lack of electricity rather than low supplies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use stronger language in academic writing to convey authority.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary problem" to describe issues that are self-evident or widely known without offering new perspectives or solutions. Provide context and analysis to make the statement meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary problem" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the main or most important issue within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its general usability across a variety of fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to identify the most significant issue in various scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across science, news, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, aim to follow it with a specific explanation or analysis to maximize its impact. Be mindful of overstating the obvious and consider using alternative phrases like ""a central issue"" or ""a key challenge"" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central issue

Replaces 'primary' with 'central', emphasizing the core nature of the problem.

the principal issue

Replaces "primary" with "principal", focusing on the most important issue.

a key challenge

Substitutes 'problem' with 'challenge', framing it as something to overcome.

a chief concern

Uses 'chief' instead of 'primary', indicating the main concern.

a main concern

Uses 'concern' instead of 'problem', softening the negative connotation.

a fundamental challenge

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the challenge.

a major obstacle

Replaces 'problem' with 'obstacle', highlighting the hindering aspect.

a crucial difficulty

Emphasizes the critical nature of the difficulty.

the foremost difficulty

Replaces "primary" with "foremost", emphasizing its prominence.

a significant impediment

Replaces 'problem' with 'impediment', highlighting the hindering aspect and emphasizing its significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary problem" to introduce the most significant issue in a discussion. For example, "A primary problem with the current system is its lack of transparency".

What are some alternatives to "a primary problem"?

Alternatives include "a central issue", "a key challenge", or "a main concern" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to offer a solution after identifying "a primary problem"?

While not always mandatory, suggesting potential solutions or discussing the implications of the problem greatly enhances the value and impact of your analysis.

What distinguishes "a primary problem" from "a secondary problem"?

"A primary problem" refers to the main or most important issue, while a secondary problem is a less significant issue that may stem from or be related to the primary one.