primarily because of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily because of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are giving your primary reason for something. For example, "I chose to take the Advanced Mathematics course primarily because of my interest in the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Primarily because of Pollock.

The Guardian - Film

Cong: That's primarily because of decentralization.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

"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

And not only — or even primarily — because of the overheating.

The Washington Post

potential, primarily because of unhealthy diets leading to malnutrition.

Cornell University

It's primarily because of habits, values and social capital.

The New York Times

Not primarily because of racism or Islamophobia, though both exist.

The Economist

Leasing activity was up, primarily because of expansion by law firms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance clarity by placing "primarily because of" close to the effect it explains. This helps readers quickly grasp the cause-and-effect relationship you're establishing.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily because of" in overly simple sentences where a more direct causal word like "because" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily because of" functions as a causal connector, linking a cause to its effect. It introduces the main reason or the most important factor contributing to a specific outcome, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily because of" is a commonly used causal connector that explains the main reason behind a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It is most frequently found in news articles, academic papers, and business communications. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for cases where a single, dominant factor is at play, and it should be used sparingly in simple sentences. Alternatives include "mainly due to" and "largely as a result of". Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly due to

Focuses on the primary cause, similar to "primarily because of", but with a slightly different emphasis.

largely as a result of

Highlights the consequence of something, framing the cause as producing a significant outcome.

chiefly owing to

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the reason something is attributed or due to.

primarily on account of

Similar in meaning but can sometimes imply justification or explanation.

principally stemming from

Highlights the origin or source of a situation or condition.

mostly attributable to

Emphasizes the cause to which something can be credited or assigned.

predominantly driven by

Suggests a powerful force or factor that is the main driver behind an event or situation.

fundamentally caused by

Indicates the most basic or essential cause of something.

at its heart, due to

Identifies the core reason or underlying factor.

in essence, a result of

Distills the cause down to its most essential element.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily because of" in a sentence?

Use "primarily because of" to introduce the main reason or cause for a particular outcome or situation. For example, "The project was delayed "primarily because of" unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "primarily because of"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly due to", "largely as a result of", or "chiefly owing to" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey. Be sure to pick the one that fits the tone of your writing.

Is it redundant to say "primarily because of"?

While "primarily" and "because of" both indicate causality, "primarily because of" emphasizes that the reason given is the main or most important one. Using ""primarily because of"" is correct when highlighting the key factor.

How does "primarily because of" differ from "partly because of"?

"Primarily because of" indicates the main reason, while "partly because of" suggests one of several contributing factors. Use "primarily" when you want to emphasize the most significant cause.