primary crop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary crop" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the main or most important crop that is grown or produced in a particular area or region. Example: The primary crop in this region is wheat, while other crops such as corn and soybeans are also grown.

✓ Grammatically correct

Agriculture

Economics

Ecology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Rubber, the primary crop, is processed on the plantations and sold to Manila factories.

Britannica

The traditional primary crop is potatoes; turnips, hay, and grains are also grown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here the soils are sandy and the winters cool; peanuts are the primary crop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His primary crop is the crayfish (called crawfish around here) teeming in the shallow water.

The New York Times

Like his counterparts in Sagaponack, Sid Bail, president of the Wading River Civic Association, is angry about McMansions instead of potatoes being the hamlet's primary crop.

The New York Times

A farmer with no money who needs a remedy for the pest attacking her primary crop can find one that uses locally available materials, when they need it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Sorghum, millet, peanuts (groundnuts), cowpeas, corn (maize), sesame, and cotton are the primary crops.

Britannica

In this experiment, we selected maize and cowpea, because they are the primary crops in our state.

Nature

Barley and wheat, supplemented by dates, sesame (Sesamum indicum), field peas, and lentils, were the primary crops.

Britannica

Dry beans, sorghum, bananas, corn (maize), potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava (manioc) are the primary crops grown in Rwanda.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today cranberries remain one of the county's primary crops; corn (maize), barley, and soybeans also are grown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing agricultural economies or regions, be specific about the "primary crop" to provide clarity on the area's agricultural focus. For instance, stating "the primary crop is rice" is more informative than simply saying "they grow crops".

Common error

Avoid using "primary crop" when referring to a crop that is grown but not the most significant in the area. For example, if a farm grows both corn and soybeans, but soybeans generate most of the revenue, soybeans should be identified as the "primary crop".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary crop" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important agricultural product in a specific region or farming operation. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Science & Research

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary crop" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the most important agricultural product in a specific region or farm. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to inform about the agricultural focus of a particular area. While it appears across various source types, it is most frequently used in News & Media and Science sources. When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately representing the crop that holds the most significance, and avoid confusing it with secondary or less prominent crops. Alternatives like "main crop" and "principal crop" can be used for variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Main crop

Replaces 'primary' with 'main', emphasizing the crop's importance.

Principal crop

Uses 'principal' instead of 'primary', indicating the most important crop.

Key crop

Substitutes 'primary' with 'key', highlighting the crop's significance.

Chief crop

Similar to 'main crop' but with a slightly more formal tone.

Most important crop

Directly states the crop's significance.

Dominant crop

Focuses on the prevalence of the crop in an area.

Leading crop

Emphasizes the crop's position as the most produced.

Major agricultural product

Rephrases the concept to focus on the agricultural output.

Primary agricultural commodity

Uses 'commodity' to denote the crop's economic importance.

Staple crop

Suggests the crop is a dietary mainstay in the region.

FAQs

How can I use "primary crop" in a sentence?

You can use "primary crop" to describe the main agricultural product of a region or farm. For example: "The "primary crop" in Iowa is corn".

What is another way to say "primary crop"?

Alternatives to "primary crop" include "main crop", "principal crop", or "key crop", all of which emphasize the importance of the crop.

What determines if a crop is considered the "primary crop"?

A crop is usually considered the "primary crop" if it is the most widely grown, generates the most revenue, or is the most important for the local economy. This can vary depending on the region and its agricultural practices.

Is it correct to use "primary crops" when referring to multiple main crops?

Yes, if a region has several crops that are equally important, you can refer to them as "primary crops". For example, "In this region, the "primary crops" are wheat and barley".