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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
are primary to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "are primary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is of primary importance or fundamental to a particular context or situation. Example: "The principles of sustainability are primary to our mission of creating a greener future."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
I intended to make beautiful and evocative spaces that will challenge and inspire artists; the open resonate volumes and flowing natural light are primary to that purpose.
News & Media
Gestures are primary to meaning, not secondary.
Data from the literature consistently suggest that in the majority of subjects presenting both depressive and anxiety symptoms, defined as comorbid cases, anxiety disorders are primary to depression and that patients with anxiety are at higher risk to develop major depression [ 22].
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
The needs and habits of her buildings' inhabitants were primary to her design ethic.
Encyclopedias
Lymphoma can be primary to the orbit or secondary to systemic disease.
Science
Listening to customers, prospects and influencers has always been primary to good business.
News & Media
The claim that the concept of belief is primary to that of desire can be questioned.
Science
"We knew there was going to be a transition from desktop being primary to mobile and tablet being primary" said Greylock partner / Mozilla's former CEO and current board member John Lilly today at TechCrunch Disrupt NYC.
News & Media
Eight Movements was composed of time-based performative large scale paintings, where bodily exertion was primary to the process.
News & Media
Together, these hint at arousal being primary to, and separated from, the appraisal process.
Science
It remains unknown which energies are primary contributors to satellite anomalies (Choi et al. 2011).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "are primary to" to emphasize the foundational or essential nature of something. For example, "Strong communication skills are primary to effective leadership."
Common error
While grammatically correct, "are primary to" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "are key for" or "are most important for" in informal settings.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "are primary to" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that the subjects are of foremost importance or fundamental. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
33%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "are primary to" is used to convey the fundamental importance of something, often in contexts where precision and clarity are valued. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for expressing essential relationships. While versatile, it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When aiming for simplicity or informality, consider using alternatives such as "are essential to" or "are key to".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
are essential for
This alternative directly replaces "primary" with "essential", focusing on necessity.
are fundamental to
This alternative emphasizes the foundational aspect of being primary.
are critical for
This alternative highlights the importance of something for a specific outcome.
are vital to
This alternative underscores that something is necessary for life or success.
are key to
This alternative points out the significance of something as being crucial.
are central to
This alternative indicates that something is at the core or heart of something else.
are paramount to
This alternative emphasizes supreme importance.
are integral to
This alternative suggests being an essential part of a whole.
are indispensable to
This alternative highlights that something cannot be done without.
are foundational for
This alternative focuses on the role of something in providing a base or foundation.
FAQs
How can I use "are primary to" in a sentence?
Use "are primary to" to indicate that certain elements or factors are of utmost importance or fundamental to something else. For example, "Customer satisfaction and product quality are primary to our business strategy".
What phrases can I use instead of "are primary to"?
You can use alternatives such as "are essential to", "are fundamental to", or "are vital to" depending on the specific context.
Is it correct to say "is primary to" instead of "are primary to"?
No, "is primary to" is grammatically incorrect when referring to multiple subjects. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "are" with plural subjects.
What's the difference between "are primary to" and "are secondary to"?
"Are primary to" indicates elements that are most important or fundamental. Conversely, "are secondary to" indicates elements that are less important or dependent on other factors.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested