primary elements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary elements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important components of a particular subject or context. Example: "In order to understand the theory, we must first identify the primary elements that contribute to its foundation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Lochte's lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, said the video footage had corroborated the "primary elements" of his client's descriptions of the episode.

The New York Times - Sports

Reducing the environmental impact of its travel and reducing the use of unrecycled paper are primary elements; how they will be enforced is unclear.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You've got these primary elements of the darkness and the stillness and silence that bursts into light in the sky," said Father Giuliani, who is not related to the former mayor.

The New York Times

Chiptune is a genre of pop music that uses eight-bit sounds, sometimes from old video-game consoles, sometimes from synthesizers set to emulate those consoles, as the primary elements in the creation of new songs.

The New Yorker

The latter will be discarded from an affordability assessment, so as long as a person's outgoings on primary elements will be met, then the offer will officially be affordable – the rest are just "lifestyle choices".

The Guardian

Thus the Gulf Stream, and hence the wind, rather than being minor features of oceanic climate are best regarded as the primary elements.

The Economist

Among the primary elements of his system were piers and columns that tilt to transmit diagonal thrusts, and thin-shell, laminated tile vaults that exert very little thrust.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Horizontal Column of Five Squares Excentric" from 1993 centers on five steel squares mounted on an armature sunk into LongHouse's manmade pond, while other sculptures use hollow rectangles or chevrons as their primary elements.

The New York Times

"Because music is not just a source of entertainment, but one of the primary elements within Haitian culture, it offers a different path into the country," Mr. Dow said when asked what motivated him to make the film.

The New York Times - Arts

One of the primary elements that defines the film and reflects the difference between Stewart's era and today, and the difference between the characters of his generation of drivers and those today, is the element of danger.

The New York Times - Sports

The primary elements of musical sound are pitch, or the location of musical sound on the scale (hence interval, or distance, between notes); duration (hence rhythm, metre, tempo); timbre or tone colour; and volume (hence stress, attack).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the most important aspects of a topic, use "primary elements" to clearly indicate foundational components. For example, "The 'primary elements' of a successful marketing strategy include market research and targeted advertising."

Common error

Avoid using "primary elements" when simpler terms like "basics" or "essentials" are more appropriate. For example, instead of "The 'primary elements' of cooking are heat and ingredients", use "The basics of cooking are heat and ingredients."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary elements" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important or fundamental components within a system, structure, or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary elements" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to refer to the most important components of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources, indicating its use in both technical and general contexts. When writing, use "primary elements" to emphasize the core constituents of a concept, but be mindful of simpler alternatives like "basics" or "essentials" in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential components

Replaces "primary" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

foundational components

Highlights the base upon which something is constructed.

basic building blocks

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the components.

fundamental aspects

Shifts from concrete "elements" to abstract "aspects", broadening the scope.

main constituents

Highlights what something is composed of.

principal factors

Suggests elements that contribute to a result or outcome.

cornerstones

Emphasizes the importance and indispensability of the elements.

core ingredients

Implies a recipe or process, more specific than "elements".

key features

Focuses on distinctive or important characteristics.

central tenets

Refers to the core beliefs or principles of a system.

FAQs

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

Use "primary elements" to refer to the most important or fundamental components of something. For example, "Understanding the 'primary elements' of design is crucial for creating effective visuals."

What can I say instead of "primary elements"?

You can use alternatives like "essential components", "fundamental aspects", or "key features" depending on the context.

Are "primary elements" and "basic elements" the same?

While similar, "primary elements" often implies a more foundational or essential nature than "basic elements", which can simply refer to something simple or introductory.

What are some examples of "primary elements" in different fields?

In art, the "primary elements" might be color, line, and texture. In business, they could be product, price, place, and promotion. In science, they might refer to fundamental particles or "basic building blocks" of matter.