becomes secondary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes secondary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is no longer the primary focus or importance in a given context. Example: "In the face of a crisis, personal ambitions often become secondary to the needs of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The dialogue becomes secondary.

The New York Times

"The actual game becomes secondary".

The New York Times

Stirring effect becomes secondary.

Chemical Engineering Science

"The audience almost becomes secondary to me.

The New York Times - Arts

"That becomes secondary to the personalities that are involved".

The New York Times

Whether it fails or whether it comes off in the end becomes secondary".

The New York Times - Arts

Later Elway agreed that the actual game increasingly becomes secondary to the commerce surrounding the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything else becomes secondary, and that's sort of the magic of Silicon Valley".

The New York Times

So long as God is so important, so long as God is so over-interpreted, man becomes secondary.

The New Yorker

When disease control programmes are planned, health education often becomes secondary to more specific interventions like drugs or vaccines.

The Guardian

People focus more on each other than the computer, so the computer becomes secondary to the group using it.

Brave NUI World Designing Natural User Interfaces for Touch and Gesture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becomes secondary" to indicate a shift in priorities or importance, clarifying what the new primary focus is. For instance, "When facing a budget crisis, expansion plans become secondary to maintaining core services."

Common error

Avoid using "becomes secondary" without clearly indicating what the new primary focus or concern is. Failing to do so can leave the reader confused about the current priorities. For example, instead of saying "Innovation becomes secondary", specify "Innovation becomes secondary to cost-cutting measures during an economic downturn."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes secondary" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating a shift in importance or priority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies that something is losing its primary focus or relevance in relation to something else. Examples in the provided data illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting this transition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becomes secondary" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is losing importance or priority, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile, appearing in diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science, and is typically used in a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly state what is now the primary focus to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "takes a backseat" or "is no longer a priority" to add nuance. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "becomes secondary" to communicate shifts in importance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of secondary importance

Explicitly states that something is less crucial.

is no longer a priority

Directly states that something is not as important as it once was.

takes a backseat

Indicates a reduced role or level of importance.

diminishes in significance

Highlights a reduction in overall importance.

is relegated to a lesser role

Formally expresses being demoted to a less significant position.

descends in importance

Emphasizes a downward shift in value or relevance.

loses prominence

Emphasizes a decrease in notability or visibility.

fades into the background

Suggests a gradual loss of importance or attention.

is overshadowed

Indicates that something is less noticeable due to something else.

is superseded

Indicates replacement by something considered better or more effective.

FAQs

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

The phrase "becomes secondary" indicates that something is now less important than something else. For example, "In a crisis, personal comfort "becomes secondary" to the safety of others."

What are some alternatives to "becomes secondary"?

You can use alternatives like "takes a backseat", "is relegated to a lesser role", or "is no longer a priority" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "becomes secondary" or "is secondary"?

"Becomes secondary" implies a change in priority, whereas "is secondary" simply states the current level of importance. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a shift in focus.

What's the difference between "becomes secondary to" and "is secondary to"?

"Becomes secondary to" indicates a transition where something is now less important compared to something else. "Is secondary to" simply states that something has less importance than something else at the current time, without necessarily implying a change.