primarily however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily however" is not correct as it combines two contrasting terms in a way that can be confusing.
It is typically used to introduce a contrast or exception to a previous statement, but it should be structured differently for clarity. Example: "The project was successful; however, it primarily relied on external funding."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Primarily, however, it is Mr. Paddock who runs the show.

The New York Times

Primarily, however, 2012 was the telliest of years.

The Guardian

The population is primarily, however, Protestant and Romansh speaking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The focus of international development journalism is primarily, however, on those written about.

The Guardian

Primarily, however, he unleashed a repertory of swirling, circling, scribbling marks that have an odd clarity and finish.

The New York Times - Arts

Primarily, however, Mr. Harlan keeps the paddocks open for the neighborhood children -- and their parents.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The diagnosis of IBC is primarily clinical; however, a tissue diagnosis is still necessary to establish invasive breast cancer.

Cancer Medicine

Some species are primarily carnivorous, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is primarily known, however, for its Romanesque-Gothic Duomo of Monza and the royal park in which the racetrack is located.

The New York Times - Sports

Not all models of faith are primarily propositional, however.

SEP

The literature on sequential choice is primarily concerned, however, with more ambitious questions.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider rephrasing. Instead of combining "primarily" and "however", separate them to emphasize the main point and then introduce the contrast. For example: "The focus is primarily on X. However, Y is also important."

Common error

Avoid stacking adverbs that express contrast, as it can create convoluted sentences. Instead of using "primarily however", consider structuring your sentence to clearly separate the main point from the contrasting information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily however" attempts to function as a transitional phrase, intending to introduce a contrast or shift in focus. However, it's grammatically awkward and doesn't flow well, which is highlighted by Ludwig AI. The phrase aims to qualify a preceding statement while simultaneously introducing a contrasting element.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "primarily however" appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI due to its awkward combination of contrasting elements. It attempts to function as a transitional phrase, indicating a main point while acknowledging an exception, but it's better to rephrase for clarity. Ludwig suggests separating the main point and the contrast into distinct clauses or sentences. Alternatives like "mainly but" or "mostly yet" are preferred. The phrase's neutral to formal register doesn't outweigh its grammatical issues, making it a less desirable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily but

Shortens "however" to "but", creating a more direct contrast.

mainly nonetheless

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly" and "however" with "nonetheless", maintaining the contrast but with slightly stronger emphasis.

mainly although

Replaces "however" with "although", changing the structure to introduce a subordinate clause.

chiefly nevertheless

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly" and "however" with "nevertheless", resulting in a more formal tone.

principally yet

Replaces "primarily" with "principally" and "however" with the more concise "yet", offering a simpler alternative.

chiefly despite that

Uses "despite that" instead of "however", placing emphasis on the contrasting element.

largely still

Employs "largely" instead of "primarily" and "still" in place of "however", creating a more casual feel.

principally in spite of that

Emphasizes the contrast with "in spite of that" while keeping "principally".

mostly even so

Uses "mostly" as a substitute for "primarily" and "even so" for "however", adding a touch of resignation.

largely on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint with "on the other hand" instead of "however".

FAQs

Is "primarily however" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "primarily however" "is not correct" because it combines two contrasting terms in a way that can be confusing. It's better to rephrase for clarity.

How can I rewrite a sentence using "primarily however" to be more clear?

Instead of combining "primarily" and "however", separate them into two sentences or clauses. For example, change "It is primarily X; however, Y is also important" to "It is primarily X. However, Y is also important."

What alternatives can I use to express a contrast after stating the main point?

Instead of "however", consider using alternatives like "nevertheless", "nonetheless", or "but" to introduce a contrasting element.

Is there a difference in formality between "however", "nevertheless", and "nonetheless"?

"However" is generally considered neutral. "Nevertheless" and "nonetheless" are more formal and may be appropriate in academic or professional writing. Consider your audience and context when choosing which word to use.