primarily with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily with" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action or focus that is primarily directed towards a specific subject or topic. Example: "The company's marketing strategy is primarily focused on attracting younger audiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She works primarily with health care companies.

The New York Times

These counselors deal primarily with prenatal testing.

The New York Times

They were built primarily with draft picks.

The New York Times

Subadult males associate primarily with females.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Honeybees communicate primarily with each other through vibrations.

The Guardian

Primarily with ourselves; we're all stories of our own narrative.

The Guardian - Film

And Appleby did it primarily with his putter.

The New York Times - Sports

He works primarily with selenium- or sulfide-toned silver prints.

The New York Times - Arts

During its early years, Grameen switched from banking primarily with men to banking primarily with women.

The New York Times

We're dealing primarily with the financial institutions to find projects.

The New York Times

"We are confronted primarily with a moral issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily with", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is mainly, but not exclusively, associated with the object of the preposition. This clarifies the scope and avoids overstating the connection.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily with" when the association is intended to be exclusive or the only one. Using "exclusively with" or "solely with" is more appropriate in those scenarios to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily with" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It indicates the main association, instrument, or focus of an action or characteristic. As Ludwig AI highlights, it specifies what something is mainly connected to or operates through.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily with" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate the main focus, association, or method of something. As Ludwig AI explains, it specifies the key element involved while acknowledging the potential for other, less significant factors. It's frequently seen in news, scientific texts, and encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral tone. When using this phrase, be sure to consider if you need to emphasize an exclusive relation, in which case other alternatives could be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chiefly associated with

Substitutes "primarily" with "chiefly" and "with" with "associated with" highlighting a strong connection.

principally related to

Uses "principally" as a synonym for "primarily" and shifts to a focus on direct relation.

predominantly connected to

Emphasizes a more significant connection or link as a key element.

mainly in conjunction with

Replaces "primarily" with "mainly" and adds "in conjunction with" to emphasize combination.

mostly in relation to

Shifts the focus to a relationship or connection, rather than direct involvement.

mainly working in tandem with

Adds the nuance of collaboration or cooperation to the primary action.

largely dependent on

Replaces the focus on association with a focus on reliance or dependence.

primarily operating through

Changes the emphasis to the means or method through which something functions.

primarily utilized alongside

Focuses on the method or means with the "utilized alongside" which brings in the idea of a complementary usage.

fundamentally based on

Indicates a core or essential foundation, altering the emphasis from primary involvement to foundational reliance.

FAQs

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

Use "primarily with" to indicate the main focus or association. For example, "The research was conducted primarily with data from the census" indicates that while other data might have been used, the census data was the most important.

What are some alternatives to "primarily with"?

You can use alternatives such as "mainly with", "chiefly with", or "largely with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "primarily with" or should I use another preposition?

The phrase "primarily with" is grammatically correct. Its appropriateness depends on the context. If you mean "by means of", consider if a different preposition such as "through" might be more precise.

What is the difference between "primarily with" and "exclusively with"?

"Primarily with" suggests a main but not sole association. In contrast, "exclusively with" indicates a sole association, implying that nothing else is involved. For example, "We work primarily with local suppliers" suggests we may use others, but local ones are preferred, while "We work exclusively with local suppliers" indicates we use no others.