primarily on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main focus or emphasis of a subject or action. Example: "The research is primarily on the effects of climate change on marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ms. Strand focuses primarily on one case.

The New York Times - Books

In Maine he worked primarily on seascapes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Presidential popularity hinges primarily on several factors.

The New York Times

It draws primarily on British rock.

The New York Times - Arts

And I'm still primarily on Windows, unfortunately.

The Guardian

That's what is primarily on my mind.

The New York Times - Sports

It focused primarily on intelligence agencies.

The New York Times

Chefs relied primarily on chilies for impact.

The New York Times - Food

Some collectives exist primarily on the Internet.

The New York Times - Arts

Teams were grouped based primarily on geographic proximity.

The New York Times - Sports

Security against biological-weapons threats should lean primarily on defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily on", ensure that the surrounding sentence structure supports the emphasis you're placing. Avoid burying the phrase within overly complex sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily on" when the focus is only slightly more significant than other elements. If factors are relatively equal in importance, consider using phrases like "also", "as well as", or "in addition to" to represent a more balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the main focus or emphasis of an action, state, or quality. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primarily on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that highlights the main focus or emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and versatile, fitting well in various contexts, especially News & Media and Scientific writing. While simpler alternatives exist, "primarily on" adds a level of precision and clarity to your writing, ensuring that your audience understands the core aspect you are emphasizing. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring it genuinely reflects the primary focus and isn't used when multiple factors share equal importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly on

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly", offering a slightly less formal tone.

chiefly on

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly", indicating the most important aspect.

principally on

Replaces "primarily" with "principally", conveying a sense of fundamental importance.

largely on

Substitutes "primarily" with "largely", emphasizing the extent of reliance.

mostly on

Replaces "primarily" with "mostly", indicating the greatest portion or degree.

predominantly on

Substitutes "primarily" with "predominantly", suggesting a prevailing influence.

focused on

Changes the structure to use "focused" as a verb, indicating a directed attention.

based mainly on

Adds "based" to indicate a foundation or reason, changing the emphasis slightly.

reliant mainly on

Uses "reliant" to emphasize dependence, altering the grammatical structure.

drawing mainly from

Suggests that something is being taken or derived, implying extraction and source.

FAQs

What does "primarily on" mean?

The phrase "primarily on" means mainly focusing or relying on something. It indicates the main aspect or factor being considered.

What can I say instead of "primarily on"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly on", "chiefly on", or "principally on", depending on the context.

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

Use "primarily on" to indicate the main focus or reliance. For example, "The study focused primarily on the effects of pollution".

Is there a difference between "primarily on" and "secondarily on"?

Yes. "Primarily on" indicates the main focus, while "secondarily on" suggests a lesser, supporting focus. The first is the most important aspect, and the second is less important. It is similar to use "mainly on" versus "subsequently on".