primary residence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary residence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal, financial, or real estate contexts to refer to the main home where a person lives. Example: "To qualify for the tax exemption, you must prove that this is your primary residence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To qualify, you must be 62 and reside in the home as a primary residence.

Huffington Post

This is their primary residence now.

The New York Times

His primary residence was prison.

The New York Times

"It is slowly becoming my primary residence".

The New York Times

But her primary residence is outside Nashville.

The New York Times

Yet, their primary residence is comfortably modest.

The New York Times

Was her home her primary residence?

The New York Times

Of course, it isn't her primary residence.

The New York Times - Arts

His primary residence is its triplex penthouse.

The New Yorker

His primary residence was in Washington.

The Washington Post

It excludes primary residence, but includes other property assets.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or financial documents, use "primary residence" to clearly define the main dwelling for tax, loan, or residency purposes.

Common error

Be careful not to use "primary residence" when referring to a vacation home or other non-permanent dwelling. Ensure the context aligns with the definition of the main place of abode.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary residence" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying the main dwelling where a person lives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used in legal and real estate contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary residence" is a commonly used noun phrase that defines the main dwelling where a person lives. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it's grammatically correct and primarily used in legal, financial, and real estate contexts. While it's important to differentiate it from secondary residences, the phrase serves a crucial purpose in clarifying an individual's main place of abode for various official purposes. Related phrases such as "main home" and "principal dwelling" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main home

Focuses on the idea of the main dwelling, simplifying the term.

principal dwelling

Highlights the dwelling's status as the main place of abode, offering a formal tone.

usual dwelling

Emphasizes the regularity of living in the specified residence.

permanent home

Suggests the long-term nature of the residence.

domicile

A formal term referring to the place where someone has their permanent legal residence.

place of residence

A general term indicating where someone lives.

legal residence

Highlights the legal aspect of the residence, often used in official contexts.

chief residence

Similar to main home, emphasizing importance.

established residence

Implies a residence held for a significant duration, reinforcing its status.

family home

Highlights a place where a family lives, suggesting that it is shared.

FAQs

What does "primary residence" mean?

The phrase "primary residence" refers to the main home where a person usually lives. It's used for legal and official purposes like taxes and voting.

How do I prove a property is my "primary residence"?

Proof of "primary residence" often includes documents like utility bills, driver's license, voter registration, and tax returns showing the address.

What are some alternatives to "primary residence"?

You can use alternatives like "main home", "principal dwelling", or "usual dwelling" depending on the context.

Can I have more than one "primary residence"?

No, for legal and tax purposes, a person can only have one "primary residence" at any given time.