on a secondary basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a secondary basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being done as a secondary or less important consideration compared to a primary one. Example: "The project will focus on the main objectives, but we will also address environmental concerns on a secondary basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are a melting pot and although fans will identify as Americans, they may go to Brazil to support Mexico or Costa Rica and support the US on a secondary basis".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One application of cognitive radios is to provide broadband wireless access (BWA) in the licensed TV bands on a secondary access basis.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In the twelfth paper "Examining the viability of broadband wireless access under alternative licensing models in the TV broadcast bands," T. Brown and D. C. Sicker focus on viability of broadband wireless access (BWA) transmission in the licensed TV bands on a secondary access basis.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Sequential consenting adult patients (112 patients, above 18 years of age) of either sex referred on both a secondary and tertiary basis to the Hull Cough Clinic with a history of chronic cough were prospectively enrolled into the study over a period of 18 months.

Cough

Based on a preliminary assessment using synthetic data, the proposed source apportionment should be able to identify many important sources on a daily basis, including secondary ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, diesel vehicle exhaust, road dust, wood combustion and vegetative debris.

Atmospheric Environment

24 One-fifth of general practices participated in Heartwatch, inviting their patients to attend on a quarterly basis for secondary prevention in addition to usual care.

BMJ Open

In most areas PCTs are responsible for contracting for prison health care at a primary level (i.e. GPs provide primary medical input and go into prisons on a sessional basis) and at a secondary level (usually provided by an adjacent Trust).

BMC Psychiatry

In 1975 legislation was passed in the United Kingdom to hasten the transition to this system, reflecting the long-term policy of the Labour government to organize all secondary education on a comprehensive basis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These are the patients who must be hospitalized, who attend the emergency department on a regular basis, who develop secondary illness, undergo needless procedures and surgery, and become dependent on narcotics in their desperate search for pain relief.

The New York Times - Health

MoVoxx makes money both from the initial ad unit (on a CPC basis) and from secondary actions on the WAP site.

TechCrunch

Identifying the full extent of these secondary waters on a weekly basis provided recurrent production maps and identified the area in which high phytoplankton biomass production occurred during the variable wet season conditions (Figure 13a).

Ecological Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a secondary basis" when you want to clearly indicate that something is of lesser importance or priority compared to something else. For instance, 'We address customer feedback primarily, and market trends on a secondary basis.'

Common error

Avoid using "on a secondary basis" if the elements being compared are equally important. This phrase explicitly denotes a hierarchy of importance; ensure that hierarchy truly exists in your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a secondary basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is done with a lower priority or level of importance. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on a secondary basis" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to indicate a lower level of importance or priority. As shown by Ludwig, its applications span across multiple contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring a genuine hierarchy exists. Consider alternatives such as "as a secondary priority" or "with secondary importance" for nuanced expressions. The phrase is recognized as correct by Ludwig AI, ensuring confidence in its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a secondary priority

Replaces 'basis' with 'priority', emphasizing the ranking of importance.

as a lower priority

Similar to 'as a secondary priority', but uses 'lower' for emphasis.

on a less important level

Uses 'level' instead of 'basis' to denote a hierarchical structure of importance.

in a subordinate capacity

Employs 'subordinate capacity' to highlight a role or function that is secondary.

with secondary importance

Directly states the level of importance, replacing 'basis' with 'importance'.

secondarily

A concise adverb form indicating something is done in a secondary manner.

on a supplementary level

Indicates that something is being done to supplement something more important.

with less emphasis

Focuses on the degree of emphasis given to something.

in a supporting role

Highlights a supportive function rather than a primary one.

as a backup plan

Highlights the role as a contingency rather than the main focus.

FAQs

How can I use "on a secondary basis" in a sentence?

Use "on a secondary basis" to indicate something is being considered or addressed with less priority. For example, "The company focuses on profit, addressing employee satisfaction on a secondary basis".

What's the difference between "on a secondary basis" and /s/primarily?

"On a secondary basis" implies lower importance, while "primarily" indicates the main focus. You would use "on a secondary basis" when something is not the main concern but is still considered.

What are some alternatives to using "on a secondary basis"?

Alternatives include "as a secondary priority", "with secondary importance", or "in a subordinate capacity". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "on a secondary basis" in formal writing?

Yes, "on a secondary basis" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly establish a hierarchy of importance. However, ensure the context genuinely supports the idea that one aspect is less important than another.