primary problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a central issue or difficulty that must be addressed. Here is an example sentence: The primary problem in this situation is that there is a lack of communication.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ignorance and indolence is the primary problem.

The New York Times

Dehydration is the primary problem for athletes.

The New York Times

School staffs were never the primary problem.

The New York Times

What becomes his primary problem?

University of California, Berkeley

In Sibaguda, villagers decided their primary problem was education.

The Guardian

It is the elsewhere that has presented the primary problem.

The New York Times - Sports

But population growth, per se, is not the primary problem.

The Guardian

There are many causes, but a primary problem is conformism.

The Washington Post

Undoubtedly, the primary problem is the cost of borrowing money.

The New York Times

Perhaps the musical's primary problem is a surfeit of narration.

The New York Times

And yet the party does have a primary problem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases like "main challenge" or "key concern" to avoid negative connotations when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "primary problem" when the issue is not, in fact, the most critical. Ensure the problem genuinely outweighs other concerns before designating it as "primary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary problem" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant issue or difficulty in a given context. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, highlighting the core concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary problem" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to identify the most significant issue in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the core difficulty that needs attention. While versatile, consider alternative phrases like "main issue" or "key challenge" to fine-tune the connotation. Use the phrase when you need to clearly define and address a central difficulty, ensuring you provide sufficient context to support your claim that it is, indeed, the most critical problem. This expression frequently appears in news and media outlets, also in science and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main issue

Focuses on the core issue, omitting the negative connotation of "problem".

core issue

Focuses on the heart of the matter, often used in problem-solving contexts.

key challenge

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", framing it as something to overcome.

fundamental issue

Highlights the basic or essential nature of the problem.

central difficulty

Emphasizes the core obstacle that needs to be addressed.

chief concern

Highlights the major area of worry or attention.

principal obstacle

Uses "obstacle" to suggest a barrier preventing progress.

major impediment

Substitutes "problem" with "impediment", denoting something that hinders progress.

underlying cause

Shifts focus from the problem itself to its root cause.

root of the problem

Similar to "underlying cause" but emphasizes the origin of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "primary problem" to identify the most significant issue in a situation. For example, "The "primary problem" with the project is the lack of funding".

What can I say instead of "primary problem"?

You can use alternatives like "main issue", "key challenge", or "central difficulty" depending on the context.

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

Both "primary problem" and "main problem" are correct and often interchangeable. "Primary" emphasizes the fundamental or most important issue, while "main" simply indicates the principal one.

What's the difference between "primary problem" and "underlying cause"?

"Primary problem" refers to the main issue you're facing, while "underlying cause" refers to the root reason for the issue. The underlying cause creates the primary problem.