primacy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'primacy' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to the state or condition of being preeminent, or the quality of being the most important or influential. For example, a company may have primacy in the industry due to its size or longevity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's why the home secretary has agreed a number of significant changes to provide the necessary assurance and guarantee the primacy of the chief constable".

The Guardian

So firm was his belief in the primacy of opinion that Lysenko - the acme of Soviet political correctness - was hired to ensure that DNA be abolished.

The Guardian

Archaeologist Jack Carlson, writing in Foreign Policy magazine, argues that the wholesale copying of architectural culture may have its roots in something much bigger than shameless commercial borrowing: "The ancient parallels for these copycat projects ­suggest that they are not mere follies, but monumental assertions of China's global primacy".

The Guardian - Arts

In his first book, The Corporate Personality: An Inquiry Into the Nature of Corporate Identity (1978), Olins set out his arguments for the primacy of brand thinking for a wider audience than that in the boardroom and on the conference platform.

The Guardian

Some observers have maintained that the decline of the shipyards is punishment for a hubristic sense of primacy among the Protestant working class.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Rapids eventually pulled a goal back late, but a confident 2-1 win reminded Colorado of RSL's Rocky Mountain primacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Conservatives believe in school autonomy and the primacy of parent power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Apart from the emphasis in Miliband's speech as well as the manifesto on the primacy of public services, he highlighted the launch of a new national primary childcare service.

The Guardian - Opinion

France, so often Britain's rival, would normally share the desire to ensure the primacy of national leaders.

The Economist

The first is an argument about the primacy of rising productivity, rather than labour safety regulations, in improving working conditions.

The Economist

RELATIONS between Islam Karimov, president of Uzbekistan, and his counterpart in Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, have long been soured by their tussle for regional primacy in Central Asia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primacy" when you want to emphasize the state of being first in rank, importance, or time. It's particularly effective when discussing hierarchical structures, competitive landscapes, or historical sequences.

Common error

Avoid using "primacy" when you simply mean "primary" or "main". "Primacy" refers to a state of being first or foremost in a broader, often competitive, context, whereas "primary" indicates the first or most important element within a set of elements. For example, use "primary" when referring to the primary color and "primacy" when discussing the primacy of a nation in global affairs.

Linguistic Context

The word "primacy" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state or condition of being first in rank, importance, or time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly used in written English, referring to preeminence or the quality of being most important, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primacy" is a noun that denotes the state of being first in rank, importance, or time. Ludwig AI validates its correctness in written English. It is a very common term, used to assert the superior position or importance of something, and is found frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. While semantically related to words like "preeminence" and "supremacy", it should not be confused with "primary". Remember to use "primacy" when emphasizing leadership or dominance and "primary" when discussing foundational elements. Following this guidance ensures you use "primacy" correctly and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preeminence

Focuses on surpassing others in rank or importance.

Supremacy

Indicates the highest level of authority or power.

Dominance

Emphasizes control or influence over others.

Ascendancy

Highlights a rise to a position of power or influence.

Leadership

Specifically refers to the act of guiding or directing others.

Priority

Indicates something that is regarded as more important than others.

Precedence

Focuses on the order in which things are considered or dealt with.

Paramountcy

Emphasizes supreme importance or authority.

Superiority

Indicates a higher quality or performance.

Centrality

Highlights the importance of something being central or crucial.

FAQs

How to use "primacy" in a sentence?

Use "primacy" to indicate the state of being first or foremost in rank, importance, or time. For instance, "The company's "primacy" in the market is due to its innovative products." Or "The "primacy" of national leaders is often a key concern in international relations."

What can I say instead of "primacy"?

You can use alternatives like "preeminence", "supremacy", or "dominance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "primacy" or "priority"?

"Primacy" refers to the state of being first in rank or importance, while "priority" refers to something that is regarded as more important than others. Therefore, the correct choice depends on the context. Use "primacy" when discussing overall leadership or dominance, and "priority" when discussing specific items to be addressed first.

What's the difference between "primacy" and "primary"?

"Primacy" denotes the state of being preeminent, or the highest in rank/importance. The word "primary", on the other hand, refers to something that is of first importance or something that comes first in a sequence. While related, they are not interchangeable.