primarily so that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily so that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main purpose or reason for an action or decision. Example: "The project was designed primarily so that we could improve efficiency and reduce costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It is as though the miracle happens primarily so that it can be remembered.

The New Yorker

He's also a book publisher, primarily so that he can bring out Edizion de Comunita books.

The New Yorker

Even so, Ms. Maddow said, she has finally committed to getting a set, primarily so that her companion can watch her program.

The New York Times - Arts

New York City plans to spend over half a billion dollars on technology in schools, primarily so that students can take the electronically delivered national tests.

The New York Times

United executives, while vowing to do everything they can to avoid bankruptcy, say that their rivals opposed the loan guarantee primarily so that they could benefit from the company's troubles.

The New York Times

Microsoft-watchers, myself included, had expected WOA tablets to have the ability to join domains, primarily so that sysadmins could have the same restful sleep advantage as they do with BlackBerry.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Microglia are unique within the brain in many ways, but perhaps primarily so in that they are true immune cells, originating during primitive hematopoiesis in the yolk sac as CX3CR1-expressing tissue-resident macrophage precursors [ 39].

Acta Neuropathologica

DO: My mom grew up vegetarian, so that was primarily how she cooked for us growing up.

Huffington Post

Mr. Cheney said campaigns keep two lists of VP candidates – a long list (one that exists primarily so politicians can leak their presence on it for media attention), and a shorter, serious list including people who could actually serve as president if necessary.

The New York Times

I tell you this primarily so you will understand that I would never, ever, under any circumstances read a review of a new Elmore Leonard book.

The New York Times - Books

When the leaders of the United States and Iraq negotiated the agreement in 2008, the timetable was primarily created so that Iraqi political leaders could show their constituencies that they were taking a stand against the long-term presence of American troops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily so that", ensure that the clause following it clearly articulates the intended outcome or purpose. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily so that" in instances where a simpler construction like "mainly to" or "chiefly to" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily so that" functions as an adverbial clause introducer, indicating the main purpose or reason behind an action or decision. This aligns with Ludwig's AI assessment, confirming its role in establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily so that" is a purpose connector used to clearly state the main reason behind an action or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial clause introducer. It's versatile enough for neutral contexts, as showcased in news, scientific, and academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure the intended outcome is clearly articulated. While "primarily so that" is common, alternatives such as "mainly so that" or "chiefly so that" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mainly so that

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly", indicating the chief reason, similar in emphasis.

Chiefly so that

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly", suggesting the principal reason or purpose.

Principally so that

Emphasizes the foremost reason using "principally" instead of "primarily".

Largely so that

Indicates that the reason is significant but not necessarily exclusive.

Mostly so that

Suggests that the purpose is more prevalent than other possible reasons.

Predominantly so that

Highlights the reason that is most conspicuous or has the most influence.

Primarily in order that

Replaces "so that" with "in order that", maintaining the purpose.

Primarily with the aim that

Expresses the purpose as a specific aim or goal.

Primarily for the purpose of

Focuses on the intention behind the action, using a more descriptive phrase.

Primarily to the end that

A more formal way of expressing the purpose or intended outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily so that" in a sentence?

Use "primarily so that" to introduce the main reason or purpose behind an action. For example, "The funds were allocated primarily so that the research team could acquire new equipment".

What are some alternatives to "primarily so that"?

You can use alternatives like "mainly so that", "chiefly so that", or "mostly so that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primarily in order to" instead of "primarily so that"?

Yes, "primarily in order to" is a grammatically correct alternative. It serves the same purpose of indicating the main reason or intention. For example: "The study was conducted primarily in order to understand the long-term effects".

What's the difference between "primarily so that" and "especially so that"?

"Primarily so that" indicates the main or chief purpose, while "especially so that" suggests a particular emphasis or specific reason among other potential reasons. They are not interchangeable and must be adapted to the context.