primary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'primary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is of first importance, most significant, or most important. For example, "Education is the primary concern of parents around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country's primary exports are natural gas and cotton.

The Guardian

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running.

The Economist

Our library is housed in the old primary school hall.

The Guardian - Books

After all, legacy donations remain the primary way of funding charitable activities.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I can talk for a long time," Paul told a cheering crowd in South Carolina, home to an important presidential primary.

The Guardian

It is indeed situated only a few steps away from a primary school.

The Guardian

Even as polls show the former secretary of state trouncing other Democratic contenders in a hypothetical primary, O'Malley has begun citing differences between him and Clinton on issues such as the minimum wage, social security benefits and a major trade deal brokered by the Obama administration that has irked progressives.

The Guardian

Such a situation can arise from early attachment issues with their first primary caregiver.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problem is that if it is in primary legislation then only by formal Act of Parliament can it be changed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The moderate conservative, frequently tipped by Republican insiders as vice-presidential material, made his ambitions for the top job clear with trips to the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina on Saturday, followed by an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primary" to highlight the core focus or essential aspect of a topic, especially when differentiating it from secondary or less important elements.

Common error

Avoid using "primary" as a default adjective; instead, select more precise terms like "main", "chief", or "principal" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overusing "primary" can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "primary" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the highest importance, the initial stage, or a fundamental characteristic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively singles out a specific aspect or element as the most relevant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary" functions as an adjective denoting first importance, origin, or a foundational nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains, its register remains largely neutral, rendering it suitable for diverse forms of communication. To enhance writing precision, consider using synonyms like "chief" or "principal" to prevent overuse and maintain clarity. By understanding its grammatical function and communicative purpose, writers can wield "primary" to its fullest potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief

This alternative focuses on the hierarchical importance, similar to "primary" in denoting something at the top.

principal

This emphasizes the leading or main aspect, akin to "primary" when highlighting the most significant element.

main

This denotes the most important or largest, similar to "primary" in its basic sense of being central.

leading

This focuses on the element that guides or directs, similar to "primary" when indicating the most influential factor.

foremost

This emphasizes being at the front or most important, aligning with "primary" in indicating top priority.

key

This denotes something essential or crucial, similar to "primary" in highlighting a fundamental aspect.

central

This emphasizes being in the middle or most important, akin to "primary" when indicating the core element.

fundamental

This stresses the basic or essential nature, similar to "primary" in its root meaning.

basic

This denotes the essential foundation, aligning with "primary" in indicating a core element.

initial

Focuses on the beginning or first stage, like "primary" suggests the first element in a series.

FAQs

How is "primary" used in a sentence?

The term "primary" is used to describe something that is of first importance or fundamental. For example, "The "primary goal" is to ensure everyone's safety."

What are some alternatives to using "primary"?

Depending on the context, you could use "main", "chief", "principal", or "fundamental" as alternatives to "primary".

When should I use "primary" vs. "secondary"?

"Primary" should be used for the most important or fundamental element, while "secondary" is for something of lesser importance that follows the "primary aspect". For example, "The primary focus is sales, and a secondary goal is brand awareness."

What's the difference between "primary" and "primitive"?

"Primary" refers to something of first importance or the initial stage, whereas "primitive" describes something that is basic, undeveloped, or from an early stage of development. Using "primary education" is a lot different to describe something as "primitive society".