primary characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the main feature or quality that defines something. Example: "The primary characteristic of a successful leader is the ability to communicate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Essentially, sexual purity has become what Christians would call a "primary" characteristic of salvation.

The Guardian - Books

Medicating emotions cavalierly can increase fear of one's own body and feelings, a primary characteristic of panic disorder.

The New York Times

In the most recent edition — DSM-V, published last year — the primary characteristic of narcissism is grandiosity.

The New Yorker

"The primary characteristic of 'Sentimental Education,' " the famous writer Barbey d'Au-revilly said, on its publication, "is vulgarity, first and foremost...

The New Yorker

Tony Oursler's struggle with video is a primary characteristic of his work, and it is interesting to watch him interrogate his medium.

The New York Times

A primary characteristic of prophetic self-consciousness is an awareness of a call, which is regarded as the prophet's legitimization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

That is one of the primary characteristics of the experience of being at war: it's so intense and you don't have time to process.

The Guardian - Books

Various theories offer different solutions to this problem of determining the primary characteristics of a social group.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This project does not possess the primary characteristics of resorts most likely to succeed as we come out of the recession," he added.

The New York Times

Here we list the primary characteristics of these algorithms.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Primary characteristics of ocean data, models and uncertainties are reviewed and quantitative data assimilation concepts defined.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary characteristic of", ensure that the characteristic you are describing is indeed the most important and defining feature of the subject. This strengthens your argument and provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid labeling a secondary or less significant trait as the "primary characteristic of". Doing so can mislead your audience and weaken your overall argument. Ensure thorough analysis to identify the truly defining feature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary characteristic of" functions as a descriptor, highlighting the most important or defining attribute of a subject. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as describing narcissism, prophetic self-consciousness, and the effects of urbanization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary characteristic of" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the most important feature of a subject across various domains. Ludwig's analysis shows its prominence in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia sources, indicating a tendency toward neutral to formal registers. When employing this phrase, ensure you're accurately identifying the most defining trait to maintain clarity and strengthen your argument. Alternatives like "main feature of" or "key attribute of" can offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief characteristic of

Replacing "primary" with "chief" provides a direct synonym, maintaining the original structure and meaning.

principal feature of

Substituting "primary" with "principal" and "characteristic" with "feature" offers a formal and precise alternative.

main feature of

This alternative replaces "characteristic" with "feature" and "primary" with "main", emphasizing the key aspect but slightly simplifying the wording.

key attribute of

Using "attribute" instead of "characteristic" and "key" instead of "primary" highlights a defining quality, maintaining a formal tone.

defining trait of

Substituting "characteristic" with "trait" and "primary" with "defining" emphasizes an inherent quality that distinguishes the subject.

central aspect of

Replacing "characteristic" with "aspect" and "primary" with "central" focuses on a core element, altering the emphasis slightly.

essential quality of

Using "quality" instead of "characteristic" and "essential" instead of "primary" stresses a fundamental property, keeping the tone formal.

most important aspect of

This phrase expands on the original by explicitly stating the importance of the aspect, providing additional emphasis.

fundamental property of

Using "property" instead of "characteristic" and "fundamental" instead of "primary" focuses on a basic and essential attribute.

hallmark of

This alternative, while shorter, replaces the entire phrase with a single word meaning a distinguishing characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "primary characteristic of" in a sentence?

Use "primary characteristic of" to highlight the most important and defining feature of something. For example: "The "primary characteristic of" water is its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances".

What are some alternatives to "primary characteristic of"?

You can use alternatives like "main feature of", "key attribute of", or "defining trait of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a primary characteristic is"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example: "A "primary characteristic of" effective leadership is clear communication".

What is the difference between "primary characteristic of" and "secondary characteristic of"?

"Primary characteristic of" refers to the most important or defining feature, while "secondary characteristic of" refers to a less important or additional feature.