primarily of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is composed mostly of a particular thing. For example, you could say, "The resources of the company are primarily of financial assets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather, they were primarily of military importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mallow consists primarily of residential and farmland.

The New York Times

I am thinking primarily of Pep Guardiola.

The Guardian - Sport

These works, primarily of precious gold, are without parallel.

The New York Times

Most kidney stones are made primarily of calcium oxalate.

The New York Times - Health

The town of Quilotoa is made up primarily of hostels.

The Guardian - Travel

Its membership consisted primarily of Cantonese speakers from southern China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She received further commissions, primarily of state political figures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The thiobiota, made up primarily of microorganisms, metabolize sulfur.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Natural adhesives are primarily of animal or vegetable origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scotch whisky, any whiskey made primarily of malted barley.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily of", ensure that the remaining portion is not significant enough to mislead. For instance, instead of "the team is primarily of engineers" if half are managers, specify "the team is primarily of engineers, with significant managerial support."

Common error

Avoid using "primarily of" when the subject is almost entirely composed of something else. Saying "the dish is primarily of vegetables" when it's 95% vegetables is less accurate than saying "the dish is almost entirely vegetables."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily of" functions as a modifier, specifying the main component or characteristic of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase serves to specify the main component or attribute of something, making it a valuable tool for clear and concise communication. It appears across various contexts, from scientific and academic writing to news reporting and general discourse. The examples from Ludwig showcase its versatile application. When using this phrase, ensure the primary component is indeed dominant and that any remaining portion is not significant enough to mislead your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly composed of

This alternative highlights the composition of something, suggesting a makeup or constitution that is predominantly of a particular element.

largely consisting of

This alternative emphasizes the idea of something being made up of something else, with 'largely' denoting the significant proportion.

mostly made up of

A more informal alternative, it still conveys the idea that something is predominantly composed of a certain element.

predominantly characterized by

Shifts the focus to the characteristics of something, indicating that a particular feature is the most noticeable or dominant one.

chiefly constituted of

A more formal and sophisticated alternative, highlighting the fundamental elements that make up something.

principally formed from

This alternative focuses on the formation process, emphasizing that something originates mainly from a specific source or material.

essentially comprised of

Highlights the core elements of something, suggesting that the listed components are fundamental to its nature.

fundamentally based on

Emphasizes the underlying foundation or basis of something, indicating that it relies heavily on a particular element or principle.

primarily centered on

Focuses on the main topic or subject of something, indicating that it revolves around a particular idea or theme.

largely dependent on

Highlights the reliance of something on a particular factor, suggesting that its existence or function is heavily influenced by it.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily of" in a sentence?

Use "primarily of" to indicate that something is mainly composed of a particular element or characteristic. For instance, "The movie's plot is primarily of action and suspense".

What are some alternatives to "primarily of"?

Alternatives include "mainly composed of", "largely consisting of", or "mostly made up of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "primarily of" or should I use another phrase?

"Primarily of" is correct and commonly used to express that something consists mainly of a particular element. Its correctness is affirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "primarily of" and "entirely of"?

"Primarily of" indicates that something is mainly, but not exclusively, composed of a particular element. "Entirely of" suggests that something is exclusively composed of that element. For example, "the dish is primarily of vegetables" vs "the dish is entirely of vegetables".