is primarily

USAGE SUMMARY

"is primarily" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something as being mainly or primarily focused on one particular thing. For example: "This symposium is primarily focused on developing new teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"AuFeminin is primarily European".

The New York Times - Tech

Chester is primarily residential.

The New York Times

He is primarily a humorist.

The New York Times - Books

He is primarily a strategist.

The Guardian - Sport

Hollywood is primarily about entertainment.

The New York Times

"Netanyahu is primarily responsible".

The Guardian

But this is primarily Scorcher's book.

The New York Times - Books

But that is primarily all from logging.

The Economist

Treatment of tetanus is primarily supportive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is primarily red.

The Guardian

This is primarily an agricultural town.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is primarily" to clearly indicate the main focus or characteristic of a subject, ensuring the most important aspect is immediately understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid diluting the impact of "is primarily" by immediately introducing numerous secondary aspects. Instead, establish the primary focus first before elaborating on less significant details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is primarily" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the main or principal aspect of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes the main focus or characteristic of a subject. It helps to highlight the most important feature, function, or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is primarily" serves as a versatile phrase for indicating the main or principal aspect of a subject. Grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is found across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When aiming for clarity and focus in your writing, use "is primarily" to spotlight the most significant elements. Be mindful, however, of secondary aspects that can obscure the main focus. Considering alternatives such as "is mainly" or "is chiefly" can enhance precision, depending on the nuance needed. Ultimately, "is primarily" is a robust and valuable tool for emphasizing key characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is mainly

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly", indicating the chief or principal characteristic. The terms are highly interchangeable.

is chiefly

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly", suggesting the most important or dominant element.

is principally

Uses "principally" instead of "primarily", conveying the sense of being the main or most important factor.

is largely

Replaces "primarily" with "largely", indicating that something is mainly true but not exclusively so.

is mostly

Substitutes "primarily" with "mostly", suggesting the greatest part or amount.

is fundamentally

Uses "fundamentally" to replace "primarily", emphasizing the basic or essential nature.

is essentially

Replaces "primarily" with "essentially", indicating the core or intrinsic nature of something.

is predominantly

Substitutes "primarily" with "predominantly", suggesting that something is most common or conspicuous.

is characterized by

Offers a structural shift, focusing on defining characteristics instead of a primary element.

is known for

Shifts the focus to common perception or reputation rather than inherent composition.

FAQs

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

Use "is primarily" to highlight the main characteristic or function of something. For example, "This course "is primarily" designed for beginners" indicates that the course's main focus is on beginners.

What are some alternatives to "is primarily"?

Alternatives include "is mainly", "is chiefly", or "is largely". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is primarily"?

"Is primarily" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the most significant aspect of a subject, while acknowledging that other aspects may also exist but are less important.

What's the difference between "is primarily" and "is exclusively"?

"Is primarily" indicates a main focus, whereas "is exclusively" suggests that something is only one thing and nothing else. For example, "The research "is primarily" about climate change" means climate change is the main topic, but other related topics might be touched upon. "The research "is exclusively" about climate change" means no other topics are covered.