primary among

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary among" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is the most important or prominent among a group of things. Example: The safety of our employees is primary among our company's values.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Primary among these is political organization.

The New York Times

Primary among these is the structural system used.

Engineering Structures

Primary among these is the idea that it's all about Spurs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Primary among these concerns is the frequency of with which Tarantino deploys the n-word.

The New Yorker

Primary among them was designating "every Sunni as a Baathist criminal," he said.

The New York Times

Primary among them was that Middletown manage to raise the money to build the theater.

The New York Times

Primary among these is a serious reëngagement with the Israeli-Palestinian problem.

The New Yorker

Nate Well, she definitely beat Obama in the '08 primary among Jewish voters.

The New York Times

Primary among these are connection and collaboration software, databases and knowledge management systems, and analytical tools.

Harvard Business Review

There are sides worth embracing, primary among them the fries cooked in duck fat.

The New York Times - Food

First, let us consider generally which shape is primary among planes and solids alike.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary among", ensure the context clearly establishes the set of items from which you are identifying the most important one. For example, 'Primary among the challenges is funding.'

Common error

Avoid using "primary among" when there is no clear group of items to compare. For instance, do not say 'Primary among the sky is blue' because the sky isn't a set of comparable items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary among" functions as a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the foremost or most important element within a set of items or considerations. It singles out a particular aspect as being of paramount significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary among" is a versatile phrase used to single out the most important element from a set of items or considerations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains. Its prevalent use in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia" underscores its value in formal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear context is established and avoid using it in situations lacking a set of comparable items. Alternatives include "chiefly among" and "especially among", depending on the desired emphasis. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively leverage "primary among" to improve clarity and prioritization in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chiefly among

Focuses on the leading aspect within a group, similar to "primary among", but emphasizes dominance.

mainly among

Highlights the principal element in a collection, akin to "primary among", yet with a touch of prevalence.

principally among

Indicates the foremost element, mirroring "primary among", while adding a formal tone.

especially among

Emphasizes a particular focus within a larger group, much like "primary among", with a hint of distinction.

particularly among

Stresses specific importance, similar to "primary among", and highlights selectivity.

above all among

Signals the supreme importance within a set, analogous to "primary among", while accentuating precedence.

foremost among

Points to the element of highest rank, mirroring "primary among", and underscores preeminence.

predominantly among

Highlights the prevailing aspect, akin to "primary among", and suggests prevalence.

largely among

Emphasizes the significant element, much like "primary among", with a focus on size or impact.

significantly among

Indicates noteworthy importance, similar to "primary among", and accentuates relevance.

FAQs

How do I use "primary among" in a sentence?

Use "primary among" to highlight the most important item or reason from a list of items or reasons. For example, "Primary among the reasons for the decline was lack of investment."

What is a good alternative to "primary among"?

Alternatives include phrases like "chiefly among", "mainly among", or "especially among", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each emphasizes the importance of one item over others in a set.

Is it correct to say "primary between" instead of "primary among"?

No, "primary between" is incorrect. "Primary among" is used when selecting from a group of three or more, whereas "between" is used for two items. If choosing the more important of two, use "primary between"; otherwise, use "primary among".

What's the difference between "primary among" and "one of the primary"?

"Primary among" indicates the single most important item. "One of the primary" suggests that the item is important, but not necessarily the most important, among a group of significant items.