primarily liable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily liable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or financial contexts to indicate the main responsibility for a debt or obligation. Example: "The company is primarily liable for any damages resulting from the breach of contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The pathological kyphotic curvature which is liable for the head posture tilted forward and hunchbacked appearance is primarily pronounced and stabilized in the dorsal spinal region.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

One central finding of that decision was that the Sony recorder could not be held liable for contributing to copyright infringement because its technology, in addition to being used primarily to videotape copyrighted television programming, could also have "substantial" other uses, like taping noncopyrighted material.

The New York Times

Is BP liable for both whammies?

The New York Times

"They are not liable for any crime".

The New York Times

The jury found the son liable for negligence, and the corporate entities liable on other counts.

The New York Times

Will I be liable for this damage?

The New York Times

Most hold employees liable for accidents.

The New York Times

"Who's liable for this money?

The Guardian - Business

The judge found JPMorgan was not liable for negligence.

The New York Times

No person was held liable for Merck's conduct.

The New York Times

Undocumented immigrants are not liable for the penalty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily liable for", ensure the context clearly defines the specific debt, obligation, or responsibility being addressed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the legal or financial argument.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily liable for" in situations where liability is shared or unclear. Overgeneralizing can lead to legal disputes. Instead, specify the exact extent of liability and any shared responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily liable for" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, specifying the main entity responsible for a particular obligation or debt. It indicates a direct and principal accountability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily liable for" is grammatically sound and signals the principal party responsible for a debt or obligation. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the scarcity of examples suggests it may not be as frequently used as other similar phrases. Its primary function lies in formal and professional contexts, particularly in legal and business domains where precise allocation of responsibility is crucial. Related phrases like "mainly responsible for" or "chiefly accountable for" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoid overgeneralization or ambiguity. Ludwig shows that using alternative phrases can also add greater context and meaning to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly responsible for

Replaces 'liable' with 'responsible' and 'primarily' with 'mainly', indicating a shift to general responsibility.

chiefly accountable for

Substitutes 'liable' with 'accountable' and 'primarily' with 'chiefly', emphasizing obligation and reporting.

principally responsible for

Uses 'responsible' instead of 'liable' and 'principally' instead of 'primarily', altering the emphasis while maintaining the core meaning.

largely responsible for

Employs 'largely' instead of 'primarily', implying a significant but not exclusive degree of responsibility.

primarily accountable for

Replaces 'liable' with 'accountable', focusing on the obligation to answer for actions or results.

fundamentally liable for

Uses 'fundamentally' to stress that the liability is a basic or essential aspect.

chiefly liable for

Uses 'chiefly' instead of 'primarily', suggesting that the liability is the most important one.

primarily responsible to

Shifts the focus from liability to general responsibility.

mainly accountable to

Focuses on accountability and obligations, reducing legal overtones.

directly responsible for

Emphasizes a clear and unbroken line of responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily liable for" in a sentence?

Use "primarily liable for" to indicate the entity or individual that bears the main responsibility for something. For instance, "The company is "primarily liable for" the environmental damage caused by the oil spill".

What's the difference between "primarily liable for" and "secondarily liable for"?

"Primarily liable for" indicates the main responsibility, while "secondarily liable for" suggests a backup or contingent responsibility that only applies if the primary party cannot fulfill its obligation.

Are there alternatives to using "primarily liable for" in legal writing?

Yes, you can use phrases like "mainly responsible for", "chiefly accountable for", or "principally responsible for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the degree and nature of the responsibility.

What does it mean to be "jointly and severally liable" versus "primarily liable for"?

"Jointly and severally liable" means each party is individually responsible for the entire debt or obligation, whereas being "primarily liable for" indicates that one party has the main responsibility, and others may have secondary or contingent liabilities.