primarily engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily engaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is mainly involved in a particular activity or field. Example: "The organization is primarily engaged in environmental conservation efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the gluteus maximus, the largest muscle in the human body, is primarily engaged only during running.

The New York Times - Health

Under current law, tax-exempt 501(c)(4) organizations are supposed to be "primarily" engaged in social welfare work.

The New York Times

But, in enforcing the law, the I.R.S. decided they need only be "primarily" engaged in social welfare, not exclusively.

The New York Times

It was primarily engaged in the production, refining, marketing, and shipping of crude oil and natural gas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To receive such status, according to the I.R.S., a group must be "primarily engaged in the promotion of social welfare".

The New York Times

But the I.R.S. has for years maintained that groups meet that rule as long as they are not "primarily engaged" in election work, a substantially different threshold.

The New York Times

Market makers are primarily engaged in the business of assisting clients in executing their desired transactions and are responsible for providing fair prices.

The New York Times

All these groups except the trader Hausa population are primarily engaged in farming and herding (cattle, goats, sheep), but fishing is also important along the riverbanks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nowhere do the rules specify what "primarily engaged" means, though there are indications that the agency has begun to re-examine the question.

The New York Times

In an interview in his office here, Prachanda sought to allay fears, saying that the excesses had been tempered and that the youths were primarily engaged in directing traffic and planting trees.

The New York Times

Given the scale of the crisis, Volcker viewed the taxpayer-funded recapitalization of the banking system as unavoidable, but he didn't like the additional supportive measures for Wall Street firms that were primarily engaged in the business of trading.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization's activities, use "primarily engaged" to clearly state its main line of business or focus. For example, "The company is primarily engaged in software development" leaves no ambiguity about its core function.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily engaged" when you want to indicate that an activity is simply among many others. "Primarily engaged" suggests that the activity is the main one. Use phrasing like "also involved in" or "participates in" if it's a secondary activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily engaged" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the principal activity or focus of the subject, indicating what they are mainly involved in. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primarily engaged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to precisely define the main focus or activity of an entity, be it a person, company, or organization. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific sources, it maintains a professional tone. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the described activity truly represents the primary focus, distinguishing it from secondary involvements. In summary, "primarily engaged" is a robust tool for clearly communicating an entity's core function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly involved

Emphasizes involvement as the primary aspect, rather than a formal engagement.

primarily focused

Emphasizes the concentration of attention and resources on a specific area.

chiefly occupied

Highlights the aspect of being busy or occupied with something as the main focus.

largely dedicated

Focuses on the commitment and dedication to a particular activity or purpose.

principally concerned

Highlights the concerns and priorities of the entity.

predominantly active

Stresses the level of activity in a certain domain.

centrally invested

Highlights the investment of resources, time, or effort.

essentially working

Indicates the fundamental work or labor being carried out.

first and foremost engaged

Implies importance and precedence of the engagement.

primarily absorbed

Focuses on the degree to which someone or something is engrossed in a particular activity.

FAQs

How do I use "primarily engaged" in a sentence?

Use "primarily engaged" to describe the main activity or focus of a person, company, or organization. For example, "The company is primarily engaged in manufacturing automotive parts".

What are some alternatives to "primarily engaged"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly involved", "chiefly occupied", or "largely dedicated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primarily engaged in" or "primarily engaging in"?

"Primarily engaged in" is generally preferred because it implies a state or condition of being involved, whereas "primarily engaging in" suggests an ongoing action.

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

"Primarily engaged" indicates the main or principal activity, while "secondarily engaged" would refer to a lesser or subordinate activity.