a primary reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main or most important cause or factor behind a particular situation or decision. Example: "The study identified a primary reason for the decline in bee populations: habitat loss due to urban development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like Mr. Simon, she cited piracy as a primary reason.

The New York Times - Arts

Beckham is a primary reason – though, it turns out, not the only reason.

The Guardian - Sport

That gain was a primary reason that the unemployment rate dropped to 5.9percentt.

The New York Times

Those days are over, which is a primary reason tourism is growing in Peru.

The New York Times - Travel

With Bernard, I don't think that Michelin was a primary reason.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A primary reason for the slowdown was a marked decline in growth in Malaysia's mining sector.

The New York Times

A primary reason for this surge has been the leniency allowed businesses to employ undocumented workers.

The New York Times

Loosening of the glenoid component is a primary reason for failure of an anatomic shoulder arthroplasty.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

One issue often cited as a primary reason for migrating to IPv6 support is security.

IPv6 Theory, Protocol, and Practice

The weeds are a primary reason causing the yield decreasing of agriculture.

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

A primary reason: The widespread belief that it's better to be safe than sorry.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary reason", ensure it is followed by a clear explanation or evidence to support the claim. This strengthens the argument and provides context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a primary reason" as the only reason. Most events have multiple contributing factors, and acknowledging these provides a more nuanced and accurate portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary reason" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the most important cause, motive, or justification for a situation or event. Ludwig shows its prevalence across various domains, highlighting its role in explaining causality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary reason" is a frequently used phrase that introduces the most important cause or justification for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across different contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. While effective, it's important to remember that it may not be the only contributing factor. Consider related phrases like "a key factor" or "the main driver" to vary your language. Using "a primary reason" effectively involves providing clear explanations and supporting evidence to strengthen your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a chief cause

Replaces "reason" with "cause", emphasizing the causal relationship.

a key factor

Substitutes "reason" with "factor", highlighting an element contributing to a result.

the principal factor

Emphasizes the factor's importance using "principal".

a major contributing factor

Specifies the significant influence of the reason.

a leading rationale

Indicates the reason is a justification or explanation.

a central motive

Focuses on the underlying motivation or intention.

the main driver

Presents the reason as the force propelling an outcome.

a fundamental aspect

Highlights the foundational or basic nature of the reason.

a paramount consideration

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the reason.

the overriding concern

Indicates that the reason is the most important issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary reason" to introduce the most important cause or justification for something. For example, "A primary reason for the company's success is its innovative marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "a primary reason"?

You can use alternatives like "a key factor", "a chief cause", or "the main driver" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "a primary reason is" or "a primary reason are"?

The correct form is "a primary reason is" because "reason" is singular and requires a singular verb.

What's the difference between "a primary reason" and "the only reason"?

"A primary reason" indicates one of several important factors, while "the only reason" suggests that there are no other contributing causes. Using "a primary reason" acknowledges complexity and avoids oversimplification.