primarily liable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily liable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or financial contexts to indicate the main party responsible for a debt or obligation. Example: "In this contract, the borrower is primarily liable for the repayment of the loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The principal is the person primarily liable, for whose performance of his obligation the surety or guarantor has become bound.

Cornell University

When a lease involves more than one lessee, the lessor may provide the disclosures to any lessee who is primarily liable on the lease.

Cornell University

Today, the Court eviscerates this distinction by holding that a person who has not "made" a fraudulent misstatement can nevertheless be primarily liable for it.

Cornell University

"Plaintiffs are going into court against the accounting firms with these cases," Ms. Arlen said, "claiming that the accounting firm is primarily liable as the drafter of the document".

The New York Times

And if a person engages in other acts prohibited by the Rule, such as developing and employing a fraudulent scheme, the person would be primarily liable for that conduct.

Cornell University

The receiving carrier is, as principal, liable not only for its own negligence, but for that of any agency it may use, although, as between themselves, the company actually causing the loss may be primarily liable.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

John, for example, might sell Bill an unregistered firearm in order to help Bill rob a bank, under circumstances that make him primarily li-able for the gun sale and secondarily liable for the bank robbery.

Cornell University

While there are, of course, stacks of laws against counterfeit items and loads of consumer safety regulations, these legal safeguards are rendered impotent when dealing with foreign sellers, primarily because there are no legally liable parties within the jurisdiction of U.S. law to prosecute.

Forbes

2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 619781978), respondent "argued primarily that the City should be found liable here because it had a policy or custom of inadequately training its officers". 777 F.2d, at 803.

Cornell University

Favoring substance over form, we said: "The person liable for the tax [the bank], primarily, cannot always be said to be the real taxpayer.

Cornell University

Whereas Mr Kohl saw European integration as a historical imperative, his successors are liable to see it more as a series of tactical decisions, primarily economic in nature.If the EU's capacity for strategic thinking does shrink, the loss will scarcely show in the next year or two.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily liable", ensure the context clearly defines the specific obligation or debt for which the party is responsible. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the legal or financial clarity of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily liable" when the responsibility is actually shared or secondary. Primary liability indicates the main obligation, while secondary liability implies responsibility only if the primary party defaults.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily liable" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, typically a person or entity, indicating the main obligor or the one who is initially responsible for a debt or obligation. It specifies a legal or financial status. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

44%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primarily liable" is a common term, particularly in legal and financial contexts, used to denote the party bearing the main responsibility for an obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and carries the intended meaning. It appears frequently in academic and news sources, emphasizing its importance in formal discussions. When using "primarily liable", clarity is key to avoid any misunderstanding of responsibilities. Consider alternative phrases like "mainly responsible" or "chiefly accountable" if the context allows for less formal language. Understanding the nuances of this phrase, as explained above, aids in accurate and effective communication, especially in legally sensitive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principally responsible

A synonym that carries a very similar meaning, emphasizing the principal or primary nature of the responsibility.

primarily responsible party

Adds the element of 'party', designating that "primarily liable" is about a person or organization.

mainly responsible

Focuses on the concept of responsibility rather than legal liability. It is interchangeable in many contexts but lacks the specific legal weight.

chiefly accountable

Highlights the aspect of accountability, suggesting a formal obligation to answer for something. It is slightly more formal.

the main debtor

Specifically refers to financial contexts involving debt, clarifying who holds the main financial burden.

primarily answerable

Focuses on the obligation to answer or explain actions, suitable where explanations are as crucial as legal obligation.

directly responsible

Emphasizes the direct connection between the person and the obligation, suggesting no intermediaries are involved.

the key person liable

Emphasizes the importance of the liable person, making a semantic distinction from liability as a state.

first in line for responsibility

Highlights the order or sequence of responsibility, suggesting the person who will be held accountable first.

ultimately responsible

Implies that even if others are involved, the buck stops with this person. It's about who will bear the final consequences.

FAQs

What does "primarily liable" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "primarily liable" means that a party has the main or initial responsibility for fulfilling an obligation or debt. If the obligation isn't met, the creditor or claimant can pursue this party first, before seeking recourse from any other party who may be secondarily liable.

What are some alternatives to "primarily liable"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly responsible", "chiefly accountable", or "principally responsible" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar meaning of having the main responsibility.

How is "primarily liable" different from "secondarily liable"?

"Primarily liable" refers to the party with the initial responsibility for a debt or obligation. "Secondarily liable" means that another party is responsible only if the primarily liable party fails to fulfill their obligation.

In what situations is the phrase "primarily liable" commonly used?

The phrase "primarily liable" is commonly used in contracts, financial agreements, and legal documents to clearly define who has the main responsibility for fulfilling an obligation, such as repaying a loan or covering damages. It's often used to distinguish this main obligor from other parties with lesser or contingent responsibilities.