a primary virtue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary virtue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental quality or characteristic that is considered morally good or desirable. Example: "Honesty is often regarded as a primary virtue in many cultures, shaping the way individuals interact with one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Modesty remains a primary virtue of any good reporter.

The New York Times - Books

In modern America, personal independence is seen as a primary virtue.

The Washington Post

Their mantra, that ignorance is a primary virtue, appeals only to the gullible and the guilty.

Independent

A primary virtue of the resulting multiscale formulation is that dynamical teleconnections between the fine and coarse scales are explicitly identified and computed, enabling fewer fine-scale domains than coarse-scale grid points to be used.

Journal of Computational Physics

Self-reliance thus occupies a central place as a primary virtue of the civilized; the principle of acquisition and the efforts it generates at self-support and self-reliance lead to profitable commerce and investment, ultimately generating moral improvement, all in keeping with providence.

SEP

Being compassionate (daya), for example, is what I would consider a primary virtue of progressivism.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For a Christian, one's primary virtue is faith in Christ, which fosters humility in knowing that God is in control of all of life.

Huffington Post

"If we knew someone with osteoporosis was following a high protein diet for weight loss, we'd have concerns about that". The primary virtue of a low-acid diet may be its emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, says Joan Salge-Blake, a nutrition professor at Boston University and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Assn.

Los Angeles Times

He also states that the primary virtue of an athlete is courage and that a person of faith can't "seek to win," "beat his opponents," "avoid the oblivion that goes with defeat" or "set a goal and climb towards greatness" because they must "surrender to God".

Huffington Post

How could greed be the primary virtue of a culture?

The New York Times - Books

(The primary virtue of a Cheney candidacy, it seems, is the extent to which it would troll Democrats -- who would normally not be interested in the GOP's Senate candidate from Wyoming).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethics or character, use "a primary virtue" to emphasize the most fundamental and important positive qualities. For example, when discussing leadership, you could say "Integrity is a primary virtue for any effective leader."

Common error

Avoid using "a primary virtue" in casual conversations or informal writing. It's better suited for formal discussions on morality, ethics, or character.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary virtue" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a characteristic or quality considered to be of utmost importance. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, emphasizing this fundamental aspect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary virtue" refers to a fundamental and essential moral quality. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use, although it is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, this phrase is employed to highlight the significance of specific virtues in discussions about ethics and character. For alternative expressions, you might consider phrases such as "a core virtue" or "a key virtue" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core virtue

Replaces 'primary' with 'core', emphasizing the central importance of the virtue.

a key virtue

Substitutes 'primary' with 'key', highlighting the virtue's significance.

a fundamental virtue

Uses 'fundamental' instead of 'primary', stressing the foundational nature of the virtue.

a leading virtue

Replaces 'primary' with 'leading', suggesting the virtue is prominent or guiding.

an essential virtue

Substitutes 'primary' with 'essential', emphasizing the necessity of the virtue.

a principal virtue

Uses 'principal' instead of 'primary', indicating the virtue is of high rank or importance.

a paramount virtue

Replaces 'primary' with 'paramount', highlighting the supreme importance of the virtue.

a basic virtue

Substitutes 'primary' with 'basic', stressing the elementary or foundational aspect of the virtue.

a chief virtue

Uses 'chief' instead of 'primary', indicating the virtue is the most important.

a cardinal virtue

Replaces 'primary' with 'cardinal', referring to the four hinge virtues in classical Christian theology.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary virtue" to highlight a fundamental positive quality. For example: "For a Christian, faith is "a primary virtue"."

What is another way to say "a primary virtue"?

Alternatives to "a primary virtue" include "a core virtue", "a key virtue", or "a fundamental virtue".

What are some examples of primary virtues?

Examples of primary virtues include honesty, compassion, courage, justice, and integrity.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "a primary virtue"?

The term "a primary virtue" is best used in formal discussions about ethics, morality, character development, and philosophical discourse.