primary issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a main issue, topic, or problem. For example: "Climate change is the primary issue that needs to be addressed by world leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The primary issue was pay.

The New York Times

Gay marriage isn't his primary issue.

The New York Times

But the primary issue here isn't privacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Currently, sustainability represents a primary issue for construction industry.

Construction and Building Materials

The primary issue is the fragility of the aquifer.

The New York Times

The primary issue is the ownership of Deutsche Telekom.

The New York Times

"The racial element of this is the primary issue.

The Guardian

"This is an issue we'd view as secondary, and not a primary issue at all".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

My primary issue is that it's a publicity stunt designed for Instagram rather than roads.

The Guardian - Tech

"Am I going to make the suffering of my patients the primary issue?" he asked himself.

The New York Times

When it comes to girls, skimpy and skin-baring clothes are often the primary issue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary issue" in formal writing, consider reinforcing its importance with quantifying adverbs like "most", "central" or "key".

Common error

Avoid labeling something as the "primary issue" if it's merely a contributing factor. Overstating the importance dilutes your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important problem or topic being discussed. This is reflected in Ludwig's examples, where it pinpoints the core concern in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary issue" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes the most significant problem or topic in a given context. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing, with common usage in news, science, and business domains. While alternatives such as "main concern" or "key problem" exist, "primary issue" emphasizes a foundational problem requiring attention. When employing this phrase, be sure it reflects the genuine core concern to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main concern

Focuses on the element of worry or importance attributed to the issue.

key problem

Emphasizes the problematic nature and its importance.

central question

Highlights the interrogative aspect of the issue, framing it as a matter to be resolved.

core challenge

Stresses the difficulty inherent in addressing the issue.

principal matter

A more formal alternative, emphasizing significance.

major point

Focuses on a specific aspect that is of great importance.

chief difficulty

Highlights the aspect of trouble or adversity presented by the issue.

foremost priority

Indicates the issue should be dealt with before others.

crucial factor

Emphasizes the importance of issue as an element that will determine an outcome.

dominant theme

Frames the issue as a recurring or overarching idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "primary issue" to identify the most important problem or topic. For instance, "The "primary issue" is the lack of funding for the project".

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

Alternatives include "main concern", "key problem", or "central question" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "primary issue" in formal writing?

Yes, "primary issue" is suitable for formal writing. It is frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.

Can "primary issue" be used interchangeably with "main issue"?

While similar, "primary issue" suggests a foundational problem, whereas "main issue" can refer to the most pertinent topic at hand. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.