primarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "primarily" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is mainly or chiefly important. For example, "This essay focuses primarily on the economic impact of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

#EmergingUS will exist primarily on the web, but some of the work will eventually appear in the printed version of the paper.

The Guardian

In a presentation to the national rural health conference in Darwin last week, Chalmers and Smith reflected on the personal toll the last year took on them and their patients who are primarily from the Rio Tinto community.

The Guardian

For one thing, the camera traps definitively proved that the lesula was primarily – and oddly – a ground-dwelling monkey.

The Guardian

Bullock says the crossing is used primarily, when at all, by occasional ramblers and rail enthusiasts.

The Guardian

Internet trolling might seem like an issue that only affects a certain subset of people, but that's only true if you believe that living in a world devoid of diverse voices – public discourse shaped primarily by white, heterosexual, able-bodied men – wouldn't profoundly affect your life.

The Guardian

At least 82 people, primarily protesters, were killed in clashes in the capital, Kiev, last week.

The Guardian

That is primarily because the technology they are built on has to be rigorously tested and stand the test of time, and therefore does not change quite as rapidly as mobile devices.

The Guardian - Tech

The Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming, who declared £187,000 of income, primarily from a software company he founded before becoming an MP, noted that "[i]t happens to be that I pay more in taxes than my net parliamentary salary and hence am value for money as an MP".

The Guardian

On paper, the top outside earner is former prime minister Gordon Brown, who declared £492,331 from outside activities primarily from public speaking engagements around the world.

The Guardian

In a letter to the information commissioner, Ipsa said: "Primarily, a trial of extracting and redacting receipts and invoices for the purposes of publication showed that the cost would be in excess of £1m for additional staffing and IT costs alone, compared to the approximate £250,000 cost under the chosen model".

The Guardian

I said that if all nuclear weapons stockpiled primarily by the US and the Soviet Union were divided into 1,000 parts, then even one of them would be enough to cause irreparable damage to all life on Earth.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primarily" to clearly indicate the main focus or most important aspect of a topic. This helps ensure clarity and directs the reader's attention to the core element.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily" when it doesn't significantly clarify the main point. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound less precise. Choose stronger, more specific adverbs when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "primarily" functions as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the main or most important aspect. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primarily" functions as an adverb used to emphasize the main or most important aspect of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As demonstrated by the numerous examples provided, the term is most frequently found in news and media sources but is versatile enough for use in formal business or scientific contexts. While alternatives like "mainly" and "chiefly" exist, "primarily" offers a distinct emphasis on the core focus. When writing, use "primarily" to clearly indicate the central point, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly

Focuses on the major part or extent of something.

chiefly

Emphasizes the principal or most important element.

principally

Highlights the main cause, reason, or origin.

largely

Indicates that something is mostly or to a great extent.

mostly

Implies that something is true in the majority of cases.

predominantly

Suggests a prevailing or dominant characteristic.

above all

Highlights what is most important or significant.

in the first place

Emphasizes the initial or fundamental reason.

for the most part

Indicates that something is generally true but with some exceptions.

essentially

Focuses on the basic or fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily" in a sentence?

Use "primarily" to indicate what is of main importance or focus. For example, "The meeting will focus "primarily" on budget issues".

What are some alternatives to the word "primarily"?

You can use words such as "mainly", "chiefly", or "principally" as alternatives to "primarily", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "primarily" and "essentially"?

"Primarily" indicates the main focus or importance, while "essentially" refers to the fundamental nature of something. So, while "primarily" highlights the main aspect, "essentially" points to the core characteristic.

When should I use "primarily" instead of "mostly"?

Use "primarily" when you want to emphasize the key aspect or focus, whereas "mostly" suggests a greater proportion or quantity. For example, "The project is "primarily" about research", versus "The participants are "mostly" students".