but primarily

USAGE SUMMARY

"but primarily" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce an idea or concept that is most important or influential in relation to a particular subject, such as "The program is open to everyone, but primarily directed at students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But primarily I just love the smell.

The New York Times

But primarily they are technological accessories".

The New Yorker

"But primarily we're happy with the way it turned out".

The New York Times

But primarily they came for the northern lights.

The Guardian - Travel

But, primarily, she's never seen herself as an elected official".

The New Yorker

But primarily, this was neither charity nor public relations.

The New York Times

Tributes poured in on Sunday evening but, primarily, the message was of thanks.

The Guardian - Sport

The magazine is mostly about architecture and design, but primarily buildings.

The Guardian

They are aesthetically grand, but primarily they're full-fledged homes for the playwright's language and ideas.

The New York Times

"I'm not anti-intellectual, but primarily I try to feel things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But primarily, geostrategic and economic interests prevail, and policy is not graven in stone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but primarily", ensure that the contrasting element introduced by "but" is genuinely less significant than the element introduced by "primarily". This helps to maintain a clear and logical flow of information.

Common error

Avoid using "but primarily" when the elements you are connecting are of equal significance. This can confuse the reader and weaken your argument. Instead, use "and" or other coordinating conjunctions to indicate equal importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but primarily" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrasting element followed by the main or most important point. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but primarily" is a versatile phrase used to introduce the most important aspect of a subject, contrasting it with something less significant. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "however mainly" or "yet principally" exist, "but primarily" offers a balance of formality and clarity. When using this phrase, ensure that the element introduced by "primarily" genuinely outweighs the preceding element to maintain a clear and logical flow. Steer clear of using it when connecting elements of equal significance. Ludwig examples show it’s common and accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however mainly

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly", providing a slightly less formal alternative to indicate the principal aspect.

yet principally

Uses "principally" instead of "primarily", offering a more formal synonym to highlight the key element.

though chiefly

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly", conveying that something is the most important or common.

while largely

Employs "largely" instead of "primarily", indicating that something is mainly or to a great extent true or applicable.

although mostly

Replaces "primarily" with "mostly", suggesting that something is true or occurs in most instances.

but above all

This alternative strongly emphasizes what follows as being of utmost importance. Changes the structure of the phrase.

but first and foremost

Highlights what follows as being the most important aspect, emphasizing priority and significance. Changes the structure of the phrase.

more significantly

Shifts the focus to emphasize what is more important or noteworthy, restructuring the sentence.

the main thing is

This choice alters the sentence structure to directly state the most important aspect.

the key point is

This option changes the phrase to focus on the central or crucial element.

FAQs

How can I use "but primarily" in a sentence?

Use "but primarily" to introduce the most important reason or aspect, contrasting it with something less significant. For example, "The event had many attractions, but primarily, people came for the live music."

What are some alternatives to using "but primarily"?

You can use alternatives like "however mainly", "yet principally", or "though chiefly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "but primarily"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is generally acceptable in modern English, starting with "but primarily" is less common. It is grammatically correct, but consider whether rephrasing for a smoother flow might be preferable.

What's the difference between "but primarily" and "but mainly"?

While both "but primarily" and "but mainly" indicate the most important aspect, "but primarily" suggests a stronger emphasis on the primary element, whereas "but mainly" can imply that the other aspects are still quite significant.