primary interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an interest or focus that is more important than others. For example: Bob's primary interest is photography, but he also enjoys running and painting.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His primary interest was bidding.

The New York Times

His primary interest is antimatter.

The New Yorker

Her primary interest remains new writing.

Independent

BUT investing remains his primary interest.

The New York Times

So China's primary interest is stability.

The Washington Post

Her primary interest is pediatric neurological diseases.

Stanford University

"Our primary interest is the flagship store," Mr. Welch said.

The New York Times

Our primary interest is stopping common species becoming rare.

The Guardian

No, my primary interest in this animal was educational.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her primary interest was psychology and mental health.

The New York Times

Lembo said the primary interest was to protect the fighters.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary interest", ensure it clearly identifies the most significant focus among other interests. This helps to avoid ambiguity and clarifies your priorities.

Common error

Avoid using "primary interest" when the focus is not significantly more important than other interests. Using it for something of equal importance can dilute its meaning and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary interest" functions as a noun phrase, where "primary" modifies the noun "interest". It serves to identify the most important or main focus of someone or something. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

31%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary interest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to denote the main focus or concern. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Its prevalence in academic, news, and scientific sources highlights its versatility. When using "primary interest", clarity is key: ensure it accurately reflects the most significant focus to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "main concern" or "chief focus" can provide alternative ways to express the concept, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main concern

Focuses more on worry or importance rather than preference.

chief focus

Emphasizes the main point of attention or activity.

principal focus

A more formal way of saying "main focus".

key focus

Highlights something essential and central.

central concern

Highlights something essential and central.

main priority

Stresses importance in terms of ranking.

top priority

Similar to "main priority" but indicates the absolute highest importance.

foremost concern

Emphasizes the leading or most important worry.

overriding interest

Implies the interest is so strong it overshadows others.

major preoccupation

Suggests the interest is almost obsessive or consuming.

FAQs

How to use "primary interest" in a sentence?

You can use "primary interest" to indicate someone's main area of focus. For example, "Her "primary interest" is pediatric neurological diseases".

What can I say instead of "primary interest"?

You can use alternatives like "main concern", "chief focus", or "top priority" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "primary interest" or "main interest"?

Both ""primary interest"" and "main interest" are correct and often interchangeable. "Primary" suggests the first or most significant, while "main" simply means the principal one.

What's the difference between "primary interest" and "secondary interest"?

"Primary interest" refers to the main focus, while "secondary interest" indicates something of lesser importance but still worthy of attention.