a secondary thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a secondary thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is not the main focus or priority, but rather of lesser importance. Example: "While the main project is crucial, the budget review is just a secondary thing that can wait."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"But the money is a secondary thing.

The New York Times

That was always a secondary thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's going to come out on vinyl, with the CD as a secondary thing in the vinyl," Shields said last year.

The Guardian - Music

"Even if it's a secondary thing, it can make a huge difference in terms of a project being [return on investment] positive or negative".

The Guardian

We see this man who looks as if he has been sculpted out of a block of Gouda cheese, and we hear the roar of acclaim, and the truth becomes somehow a secondary thing, an appendage, the chimera's vestigial tail.

The Guardian - Books

"I think moving the primary is about trying to get some political influence, and maybe as a secondary thing to get more focus on the state," Mr. Byrne said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's the fault of the architectural discipline which has cast itself into a completely secondary thing".

Independent

Just hearing that, not hearing the actual audio of the tape yet, most of us thought that would be the secondary thing right now because this is the moment we've been waiting for — to finally get attention for the Russia issue.

Huffington Post

We have this idea that human beings are separate from their environment and that you could save a human life through military means and military preparation and then worry about these secondary things later," she says.

The Guardian

But these are secondary things.

The New York Times

His premise is that "the thought of our nonexistence may save us from triviality, from entrapment in secondary things".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a secondary thing" when you want to de-emphasize something without dismissing it entirely. It acknowledges the existence of something but clarifies it's not the primary focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a secondary thing" if the subject is truly unimportant or irrelevant. Instead, consider phrases like "irrelevant" or "negligible" to accurately reflect its lack of significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary thing" functions as a noun phrase, where "secondary" modifies "thing". It typically acts as a predicate nominative, describing the nature or status of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates something is less important than something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a secondary thing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote something of lesser importance or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, it serves to de-emphasize specific elements while maintaining a neutral tone. When writing, remember to distinguish between something being secondary versus irrelevant, and choose the appropriate phrase accordingly. Consider alternatives like "a minor detail" or "a less important aspect" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lower priority

Directly states the reduced importance.

a less important aspect

Highlights the lower level of importance.

a minor detail

Focuses on the insignificance of the element.

a subordinate issue

Emphasizes the hierarchical relationship.

a side issue

Highlights deviation from main topic.

a peripheral concern

Suggests it's not at the core.

a non-essential element

Highlights that it is not strictly necessary.

an ancillary matter

Implies it supports the main issue but isn't central.

a triviality

Emphasizes the lack of importance.

an afterthought

Suggests it was considered later or less carefully.

FAQs

How can I use "a secondary thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a secondary thing" to indicate that something is less important than something else. For example, "While winning is desirable, personal growth is the primary goal; the trophy is "a secondary thing"."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a minor detail", "a less important aspect", or "a subordinate issue".

Is it appropriate to use "a secondary thing" in formal writing?

Yes, "a secondary thing" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to convey that something is of lesser importance. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "an ancillary matter" if the context requires it.

What's the difference between "a secondary thing" and "irrelevant"?

"A secondary thing" implies that something is less important but still has some relevance, while "irrelevant" means that something has no connection or importance to the matter at hand. Use "a secondary thing" when something is pertinent but not the main focus, and "irrelevant" when it's completely unrelated.