primarily because

USAGE SUMMARY

'primarily because' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that states the most important reason for something. For example, "I drove to the store, primarily because I wanted to get ice cream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Primarily because it's wrong.

The Economist

Primarily because of Pollock.

The Guardian - Film

primarily because it fits his commercial interests".

The New Yorker

In Montana, the law is untenable, primarily because of demographics.

The New York Times

test primarily because of deprivation as to cultural background".

The New Yorker

Hjorth's scoring average is 72.83 primarily because of her putting.

The New York Times - Sports

It did so primarily because the end seemed in sight.

The New Yorker

And they exist primarily because the state wants them to.

The Guardian

"And I think it's primarily because of 9/11".

The New York Times

This is not primarily because of social exclusion or poverty.

The Guardian

I am an Anglican primarily because my family were.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily because", ensure that the clause following it provides the most significant reason or cause. Avoid listing multiple reasons of equal importance.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily because" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily because" functions as an adverbial connector, introducing a clause that provides the principal reason or cause for the preceding statement. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's used to indicate the most important factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primarily because" is a versatile phrase used to introduce the main reason or cause behind a statement. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While alternatives like "mainly due to" or "largely because" exist, "primarily because" effectively highlights the most significant contributing factor. When employing the phrase, it's best practice to ensure it indeed represents the primary reason and to avoid overuse in close proximity to maintain clarity and engagement. Overall, "primarily because" is a valuable tool for writers seeking to provide clear and concise explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly due to

Replaces "primarily because" with an alternative causal phrase, focusing on the main reason.

in large part due to

Similar to "mainly due to", but with slightly different emphasis.

largely as a result of

Indicates that something is mainly a consequence of something else.

mainly stemming from

Highlights that something primarily originates or arises from a particular source.

for the most part because

Highlights that the reason is the main contributing factor.

chiefly owing to

Emphasizes the primary reason or cause, using a more formal tone.

principally on account of

A more formal way of expressing the main reason or basis for something.

mostly attributable to

Indicates that something can be mainly credited or assigned to a particular cause.

predominantly as a consequence of

Indicates that something is mainly a result or outcome of something else.

primarily on the grounds that

Focuses on the justification or basis for a decision or action.

FAQs

How to use "primarily because" in a sentence?

Use "primarily because" to introduce the main reason or cause for a statement. For example, "I chose this university "primarily because" of its strong engineering program".

What can I say instead of "primarily because"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly due to", "largely because", or "mostly because" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "primarily because" at the beginning of a sentence?

While less common, it is grammatically acceptable to start a sentence with "primarily because" for emphasis, although it's generally preferable to place it within the sentence for smoother flow.

What's the difference between "primarily because" and "secondarily because"?

"Primarily because" introduces the main reason, while "secondarily because" introduces a less important, supporting reason.