primarily then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a primary focus or conclusion that follows a previous statement or discussion. Example: "The results of the study were inconclusive; primarily then, we need to conduct further research to validate our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Primarily, then, words refer strictly to the present object.

SEP

If an open wound can be closed primarily, then internal fixation may be appropriate.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

If you need financial planning and the adviser works with investments primarily, then you may not have a match.

Huffington Post

Instead, I interpret the tremendous diversification of the songbirds today as indeed tied to that age-old predatory phenotype and played out primarily then and now on the diverse world of insects.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This will probably mitigate the seriousness of many of the submissions, but if it's primarily nondevelopers then doing the submitting – then 15% is a whole lot better than nothing, the most likely result of not participating.

TechCrunch

"Our mission goes back to Mr. Clapton's desire to provide affordable, accessible treatment to people of Antigua and the Caribbean, primarily, and then also internationally, so we are able to offer treatment at a sliding scale," Ms. Martin said.

The New York Times - Arts

"I absolutely loved it," enthuses Guy, "her voice, primarily, and then these mystical lyrics.

The Guardian

"Our mandate is primarily design, then followed by celebrity and fashion," Mr. Turner said.

The New York Times - Style

"Everything is functional primarily, and then aesthetic within the limits of what is functional as well as expedient," he says.

Independent

Andersen (right): People working in the entertainment and media businesses primarily, and then secondarily people who have an interest in the creation and business of culture.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Zhang was primarily known then for his visceral performances of the late 1990s, first in the bohemian enclave of Beijing East Village and later, in museums around the United States.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primarily then" to clearly indicate a main point or action followed by a logical consequence or subsequent step. It helps structure arguments or explanations in a sequential manner.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily then" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "mainly therefore" or "chiefly as a result" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily then" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate both the main focus and a subsequent event or consequence. It emphasizes the primary aspect before introducing the next action. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this can be used to structure arguments or explain sequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily then" serves as an adverbial phrase to indicate a primary focus followed by a subsequent event or logical consequence. Although grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is valid, although its relative infrequency means that alternatives may at times be more appropriate. To enhance writing clarity and flow, consider related phrases like "mainly therefore" or "chiefly as a result", but avoid overuse of "primarily then" to maintain varied and engaging content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly therefore

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly" and "then" with "therefore", indicating a primary reason or consequence.

chiefly as a result

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly" and rephrases "then" to emphasize the consequential aspect.

primarily as a consequence

Similar to "chiefly as a result", this alternative places emphasis on the outcome or result.

principally hence

Replaces "primarily" with "principally" and "then" with "hence", indicating a primary reason leading to a conclusion.

largely thus

Uses "largely" in place of "primarily" and "thus" instead of "then", suggesting a considerable degree affecting a subsequent action.

primarily subsequently

Focuses on the sequential aspect, indicating something that follows in time or order.

mainly afterward

Similar to "primarily subsequently", this alternative emphasizes the temporal sequence.

primarily after that

This alternative focuses on the order, emphasizing that something comes after the primary action or state.

primarily following that

Highlights the sequential order of events, where something is done primarily, and something else follows.

first and foremost then

Implies that something is of utmost importance, followed by a subsequent consideration.

FAQs

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

"Primarily then" is used to show the main point or initial action, followed by a consequence or a next step. For example: "The data was collected primarily through surveys, then analyzed using statistical methods."

What phrases are similar to "primarily then"?

Similar phrases include "mainly therefore", "chiefly as a result", or "principally hence". These alternatives can provide variety in your writing.

Is there a difference between "primarily then" and "primarily afterwards"?

"Primarily then" suggests a logical consequence or next step, whereas "primarily afterwards" ("primarily afterwards") simply indicates a temporal sequence. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize consequence or sequence.

When is it appropriate to use "primarily then" in formal writing?

While "primarily then" can be used in formal writing, consider whether a more direct causal connector might be clearer. In some cases, phrases like "consequently" or "as a result" may be more concise and impactful.