primarily interested in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily interested in" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express the main or primary focus or desire of a person, group, or organization. Example: The company's hiring criteria states that they are primarily interested in candidates with experience in marketing and sales.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Constantius was primarily interested in religious affairs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are primarily interested in tracer macrodispersion modelling.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

I'm primarily interested in computer vision.

Cornell University

The D.O.J. is primarily interested in the Minneapolis-St.

The New York Times

We believe Cablevision customers are primarily interested in value.

The New York Times

"Online investors are primarily interested in I.P.O.'s," she said.

The New York Times

The Dutch were primarily interested in commerce; they found none.

Britannica

Philosophers are primarily interested in Miss Anscombe's action theory.

The New York Times

He is not primarily interested in the ever-changing rhetoric of weather, light or nature.

The Guardian - Arts

"But professionals, even good ones, are primarily interested in their jobs and their routines.

The New York Times

I was primarily interested in the classics, and that would include engraving.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily interested in", ensure that it accurately reflects the main focus or interest, avoiding ambiguity by specifying the subject of interest clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily interested in" when the interest is actually secondary or only one of many equally important interests. Use alternative phrasing like "also interested in" or "among other interests" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily interested in" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify the main area of interest or focus. It is often used to describe a person's, group's, or organization's principal concern or desire. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primarily interested in" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a main focus or interest. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. It serves to clarify priorities and intentions, though it is important to ensure it accurately reflects the main focus to avoid ambiguity. Consider synonyms such as "mainly concerned with" or "chiefly focused on" for different nuances. The frequency and diversity of sources confirm the phrase's versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all, interested in

Similar in meaning, but it adds an element of prioritization and highlights the importance of one's interest above other factors.

primarily absorbed in

Similar to absorbed by but more direct and less intense.

mainly concerned with

Focuses on concern rather than interest, implying a degree of worry or responsibility.

chiefly focused on

Emphasizes focus and direction, implying a deliberate and concentrated effort.

largely invested in

Suggests a deeper level of involvement and commitment, often with an emotional or personal stake.

predominantly absorbed by

Conveys a sense of being completely engrossed or consumed by something.

centrally dedicated to

Highlights dedication and purpose, suggesting a formal or professional commitment.

mostly preoccupied with

Implies that something is taking up a significant amount of one's thoughts or attention.

foremost in one's thoughts

Highlights what someone is thinking about more than their actions.

keenly fascinated by

Emphasizes the intense interest and attraction one has for a subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "primarily interested in" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "chiefly concerned with", "principally focused on", or "primarily invested in". These alternatives /s/chiefly+concerned+with, /s/principally+focused+on, /s/primarily+invested+in convey a similar meaning with a heightened level of formality.

Is there a subtle difference between "primarily interested in" and "especially interested in"?

"Primarily interested in" indicates the main focus of interest, while "especially interested in" suggests a heightened level of enthusiasm or fascination within a broader range of interests. You are "especially interested in" something you like more than other things, but you are "primarily interested in" the core of your interests.

What are some common synonyms for "primarily interested in"?

Common synonyms include "mainly concerned with", "chiefly focused on", "largely invested in", or "mostly preoccupied with". Each synonym /s/mainly+concerned+with, /s/chiefly+focused+on, /s/largely+invested+in, /s/mostly+preoccupied+with provides a slightly different nuance to the meaning.

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

You can use "primarily interested in" to describe the main area of focus or interest. For example, "The researcher is primarily interested in the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems" or "The company is primarily interested in expanding its market share in Asia".