in the primary instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the primary instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first or initial occurrence of something in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In the primary instance, we should consider the impact of the new policy on employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Rather, self-knowledge is knowledge from spontaneity; its object and its source are the subject's own activity, in the primary instance its acts of thinking, both theoretical and practical thinking, belief and action.

Harvard University

The constraint of signal transmission quality and network resources utilization in transparent optical networks are herein addressed through a representative cost function based upon an impairment-constraint-base routing (ICBR) approach, taking into account link capacity utilization and the nonlinear physical effect, in the primary instance due to Four-Wave Mixing (FWM -induced crosstalk.

Optical Switching and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the primary instances with lower reliability, the improvement is small, but in the next instances, the improvement becomes larger.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Results obtained in the secondary analyses using an unexposed group consisting of those without exposure to any drinking water contaminants were not presented because they were similar to results obtained in the primary analyses in most instances or produced only a small increase in ORs.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Motivation of nurses is important in the primary health care environment of, for instance, mine settings; since low levels of motivation among Primary Health Care PHCC) nurses could have a negative effect on the achievement of high standards in health service delivery.

Health SA Gesondheid

The simplest explanation for a functional role of hypermethylation is that the primary tumor may be heterogeneous for methylation status, with the cells that eventually disseminate and colonize the liver, for instance, coexisting unmethylated in the primary tumor with other methylated sister cells.

Clinical Epigenetics

I recalled an instance of a manufactured quote in the primary campaign of 1968.

The New York Times

Lt. Gov. Mary Anne Krupsak, for instance, ran against Gov. Hugh Carey in the primary after his first term.

The New York Times

In the first instance, primary fetal osteoblasts were examined for the osteoblast phenotypic markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type I (Col I) and OB Cadherin (Cadherin 11) (OB Cad) as well as for the mesenchymal stem cell markers CD105 and CD166.

Biomaterials

More people vote in November than in the primaries in just about every state, for instance.

Huffington Post

Eighty-four percent (84%) of physicians did not routinely probe cognitive function in patients aged 25 40, and 65% of physicians did not routinely probe cognitive function in patients aged 41 59 (Figure S1); in both instances, the primary reason they selected for not probing was that the patient was neither showing nor complaining of cognitive deficits (Table S2).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the primary instance" to clearly signal the initial point of consideration or the most fundamental aspect of a topic. This helps structure arguments and guide readers through complex information.

Common error

Avoid using "in the primary instance" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "initially" or "primarily" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the primary instance" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the initial or most important condition or action. As Ludwig suggests, it introduces the starting point of a discussion or process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the primary instance" serves as a structured way to introduce initial considerations in a discussion. As Ludwig AI states, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in English, signaling the commencement of an analysis or the most fundamental aspect of a situation. While versatile across academia, science, and news, it's best reserved for formal contexts to avoid sounding stilted in casual conversation. Remember, while alternatives exist, the specific nuance of initiating a discussion makes "in the primary instance" a valuable tool in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially

This alternative focuses on the beginning or starting point of a sequence or action.

at the outset

Emphasizes the very beginning of a process or undertaking.

at first

Highlights the initial stage or impression.

primarily

Indicates the main or most important aspect to consider.

in the first place

Suggests a fundamental reason or starting point.

to begin with

Introduces the first point in a series of arguments or considerations.

as a first step

Highlights the initial action taken towards a goal.

in the beginning

Focuses on the earliest stage of an event or process.

first and foremost

Emphasizes the highest priority or importance.

to start with

Similar to "to begin with", but can also imply a less formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "in the primary instance" in a sentence?

You can use "in the primary instance" to introduce the first or most important point in a discussion. For example, "In the primary instance, we must address the budget constraints."

What can I say instead of "in the primary instance"?

You can use alternatives like "initially", "primarily", or "at first" depending on the specific context.

Is "in the primary instance" formal or informal?

The phrase "in the primary instance" is generally considered formal and is suitable for academic, professional, or official contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in informal settings.

What is the difference between "in the primary instance" and "primarily"?

"In the primary instance" emphasizes the starting point or initial action, while "primarily" highlights the main or most important aspect. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the sequence or the significance.