a secondary consideration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a secondary consideration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a thought or idea that is not the main focus or the primary consideration. For example, "Safety was our primary consideration when deciding on a new office design, but ease of use was a secondary consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Language is a secondary consideration.

The Guardian

Size was a secondary consideration.

The New York Times - Food

Pleasure should be a secondary consideration.

The Guardian - Books

The advertiser is a secondary consideration.

The New York Times

Physiology, in other words, had become a secondary consideration.

The New Yorker

Money was a secondary consideration, playing was all I wanted.

The Guardian - Sport

Winning now, while desirable, was clearly a secondary consideration.

The New York Times - Sports

Fighting Islamic State terrorism was a secondary consideration.

The Guardian

Still, that appears to be a secondary consideration.

The Economist

Reducing overlaps is, at best, a secondary consideration.

The Economist

Except for the very richest, food was about safety, survival and necessity; taste a secondary consideration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a secondary consideration" to clearly signal that an element, while relevant, is not as crucial as another in your argument or decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "a secondary consideration" when you mean something is completely unimportant. The phrase implies some level of relevance, even if diminished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary consideration" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies something as being of lesser importance than something else. Ludwig confirms the correct usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a secondary consideration" is used to indicate that something is of lesser importance compared to a primary focus. It is grammatically correct, frequently used, and applicable in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, academic, and formal settings. While the phrase implies relevance, it is crucial to avoid mistaking it for unimportance. Ludwig AI validates its usage and provides numerous examples, reinforcing its versatility and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of secondary importance

Rephrases the original meaning with a slight change in wording.

a less important factor

Directly states reduced importance in a decision or analysis.

a minor priority

Emphasizes the reduced importance compared to something else.

a lower concern

Highlights that the item is not as worrying or significant.

a subordinate issue

Indicates a hierarchical relationship where the item is below another.

not the main focus

Shifts the emphasis to what is being prioritized instead.

a side issue

Presents the item as somewhat detached from the main subject.

a supplementary aspect

Suggests something that adds to but is not essential.

an ancillary matter

Implies the item is helpful or supportive but not a core element.

a tangential point

Suggests a connection, but not a direct or crucial one.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a secondary consideration" in a sentence?

Incorporate "a secondary consideration" to denote something of lesser importance compared to the primary focus. For example, "While cost is a factor, it's "a secondary consideration" compared to safety."

What are some alternatives to saying "a secondary consideration"?

You can use phrases like "a minor priority", "a lower concern", or "of secondary importance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a secondary consideration"?

It's best to use "a secondary consideration" when you want to acknowledge something's relevance but emphasize that it's not the main priority. If something is truly irrelevant, avoid this phrase.

What's the difference between "a secondary consideration" and "an afterthought"?

"A secondary consideration" implies something was deliberately evaluated but deemed less important. "An afterthought", on the other hand, suggests something was only considered later or as an unplanned addition.