primary target

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary target" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the main or most important goal or objective of something. You can use "primary target" when discussing a specific aim or focus in various contexts, such as business, military operations, marketing, or personal goals. Example: Our primary target for this quarter is to increase our sales by at least 20%.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This is their primary target.

The Guardian - Tech

Their primary target will be Carmelo Anthony.

The New York Times - Sports

He was enjoying being Collins's primary target.

The New York Times - Sports

Samsung is the primary target so far.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sunnis remain Abu Sajat's primary target.

The New York Times

Khan is adamant he was the council's primary target.

The Guardian

Agüero has now replaced Sanchez as Mancini's primary target.

The Guardian - Sport

The tax collector's office was the primary target, he said.

The New York Times

Better yet, he was Boston's primary target this off-season.

The New York Times - Sports

These days, kids are not necessarily Wonder's primary target audience.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gingrich, outspent and underfinanced, was the primary target.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary target", ensure that it is clear from the context what the target refers to. Provide specific details or examples to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "primary target" without specifying what the target is. For instance, instead of saying, "The primary target was achieved", specify, "The primary target of increasing sales by 20% was achieved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary target" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or direct object. It identifies the main focus or objective, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary target" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the main objective or focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly the "primary target" is. Alternatives such as "main objective" or "chief aim" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main objective

Replaces "target" with "objective", emphasizing the goal-oriented nature.

chief aim

Substitutes both "primary" and "target" with synonyms indicating the most important goal.

principal goal

Replaces "primary" with "principal", maintaining the emphasis on the main goal.

key focus

Uses "focus" instead of "target", highlighting the central point of attention.

central objective

Emphasizes the importance by describing it as a central objective

main priority

Replaces "target" with "priority", indicating what is most important.

prime concern

Uses "concern" to denote the most important matter or focus.

top priority

Indicates the highest level of importance or attention.

focal point

Highlights the point on which activity or attention is focused.

intended recipient

Describes the main person or thing that something is directed towards, changing the context slightly.

FAQs

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

Use "primary target" to indicate the main goal or focus of an action or strategy. For example, "The company's "primary target" is to expand into new markets".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "primary target"?

You can use alternatives like "main objective", "chief aim", or "principal goal" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the target is primary" instead of "primary target"?

While grammatically understandable, "the target is primary" is less idiomatic. "Primary target" is the more common and natural phrasing.

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

"Primary target" refers to the main or most important goal, while "secondary target" refers to a less important or subsequent goal.