a primary source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary source of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe something that is the main or most important source of something else. Example: "The library was a primary source of information for the students researching their history project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Hip-hop is a primary source of this new music.

The New York Times - Arts

Forestry is also a primary source of income and employment.

Britannica

Smuggling is a primary source of income for many.

The New York Times

Sexuality is a primary source of positive experiences.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

(The opium trade is a primary source of income for the Taliban).

The New York Times

As a result, CD sales remain a primary source of income.

The Guardian - Music

Sixteen to twenty-four year olds use social media as a primary source of science information.

The Guardian

Rosie, as she's called, is a primary source of chaos in the Maslin home these days.

The Washington Post

Groundwater is a primary source of fresh water in many parts of the world.

Nature

Amazon is now a primary source of traffic for thousands of third-party retailers.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's because land has long been a primary source of independence, especially for black people.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary source of", ensure that the noun following 'of' accurately reflects the origin or cause you intend to highlight. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes are a primary source", specify "Mistakes are a primary source of learning".

Common error

Avoid using "a primary source of" when the source is not truly the main or most significant one. Overstating the importance of a source can weaken your argument. Instead, consider using "a contributing factor" or "an important source" if the source is only one of several.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary source of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. Ludwig AI validates that it's used to identify the principal origin, cause, or foundation of something. It commonly connects a subject to its main source or resource, emphasizing its significance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary source of" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase widely used to denote the main origin or cause of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is common across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and accurate, avoid overgeneralization, and consider using alternative phrases like "a key source of" or "a major source of" for variety. Understanding its function and appropriate usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key source of

Replaces "primary" with "key", emphasizing importance.

a major source of

Substitutes "primary" with "major", indicating significance.

a main source of

Replaces "primary" with "main", denoting central importance.

a principal source of

Uses "principal" instead of "primary", implying leading status.

the leading source of

Replaces "a primary" with "the leading", suggesting top rank.

the foremost source of

Uses "foremost" instead of "primary", indicating prominence.

a fundamental source of

Replaces "primary" with "fundamental", emphasizing foundational nature.

a basic source of

Substitutes "primary" with "basic", denoting essential quality.

the root cause of

Emphasizes causality rather than general origination.

the origin of

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the concept of origin.

FAQs

How can I use "a primary source of" in a sentence?

Use "a primary source of" to indicate the main origin or cause of something. For example, "The sun is "a primary source of" energy for Earth".

What's a good alternative to "a primary source of"?

You can use alternatives like "a key source of", "a major source of", or "a main source of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the primary source of" instead of "a primary source of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the primary source of" implies there's only one main source, while "a primary source of" suggests it is one of possibly multiple primary sources.

What is the difference between "a primary source of" and "a secondary source of"?

"A primary source of" refers to the original or main origin, while "a secondary source of" indicates a derivative or less direct origin.