primary intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main purpose or objective behind an action or statement. Example: "The primary intent of this policy is to ensure the safety of all employees in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My primary intent is to translate the atmosphere of the Marshlands.

The New York Times

As a long-time solo traveller, I can assure you this is not my primary intent.

The Guardian - Travel

In providing sedation the physician's primary intent should be to alleviate suffering.

Stanford University

The primary intent is to prepare students to successfully complete PAM 3100 Multivariate Regression.

Cornell University

Then there is the palliative approach, where the primary intent is to relieve symptoms such as pain.

The Guardian

The primary intent for previous continuous hydrolysis studies was to minimize the reaction temperature and reaction time.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

The primary intent of the U.S. legislation is to stem corrupt practices in the overseas operations of American companies.

The New York Times

The primary intent of infanticide is not to kill, but to induce nursing females to start ovulating quickly and thus increase the usurping male's chances of reproducing.

The New York Times - Science

I've no illusions that the primary intent was a concern for our safety, rather than the avoidance of increased scrutiny in the event of civilian casualty.

The Guardian - Opinion

And though aides say it is not Mr. Gore's primary intent, the attack on corporate interests co-opts some of Mr. Nader's anti-corporate message.

The New York Times

Our primary intent was to determine if effective models could be developed using watershed characteristics of disturbance to predict macroinvertebrate metrics among disparate and widely separated ecoregions.

Ecological Indicators

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary intent", ensure that it clearly reflects the most important objective and isn't overshadowed by secondary goals.

Common error

Avoid diluting the impact of your statement by presenting secondary objectives as equally important as the "primary intent". Keep the focus sharp.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary intent" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and specifies the main purpose or objective behind an action, decision, or policy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary intent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that clearly identifies the main purpose or objective behind an action, decision, or policy. As noted by Ludwig, it is correct and applicable in various writing scenarios. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, "primary intent" ensures clarity and focus. Remember to prioritize your objectives and avoid diluting the "primary intent" with secondary considerations. Alternatives such as "main objective" or "chief aim" can be used depending on the context, although "primary intent" is often favored in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main objective

Focuses on the key goal to be achieved, similar to the intended outcome.

chief aim

Highlights the principal goal or purpose, emphasizing its importance.

principal purpose

Emphasizes the core reason or objective behind an action or decision.

central goal

Indicates the most important aim or target.

main purpose

A general alternative that refers to the key reason for something.

key objective

Focuses on the essential target or outcome to be achieved.

overarching aim

Suggests a comprehensive and dominant goal.

fundamental goal

Highlights the basic and essential purpose.

core intention

Emphasizes the underlying motive or reason.

basic motive

Highlights the simple, fundamental reason behind an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "primary intent" to specify the main goal or purpose behind an action, policy, or decision. For example, "The "primary intent" of this research is to identify new methods for treatment."

What's a good alternative to "primary intent"?

Alternatives include "main objective", "chief aim", or "principal purpose" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "primary intent" or "main goal"?

Both "primary intent" and "main goal" are suitable, but "primary intent" may be preferred in more formal or technical contexts, while "main goal" is more general and widely understood.

What is the difference between "primary intent" and "secondary intent"?

"Primary intent" refers to the main purpose or objective, while "secondary intent" refers to a less important, supporting, or consequential purpose.