primary thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'primary thought' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the first or most important idea or suggestion that comes to mind. For example: "My primary thought upon hearing the news was that I needed to contact my family right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Chances are your primary thought at this point is not "Wow, I'd really like to sleep with this guy".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In 2008, 7 percent of voters in the Republican primary thought of themselves as Democrats, and in 2000, 17 percent did.

The New York Times

Primacy is making education the primary activity of a student's day, or perhaps more specifically, the primary thought activity of the day.

TechCrunch

This has been my primary thought every day for three years.

Vice

My primary thought upon discovering masturbation land was: What a time to be alive!

Vice

The staff and crew's primary thought and interest is about home, not the passengers.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Why?," "Primary Thoughts" is given a room of its own.

The New York Times - Arts

"One of my primary thoughts through the years has been that I am living and dying at once," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The found object became the inspiration for his sensorial montage, "Primary Thoughts," a conceptual interpretation of the psychiatrist's den.

The New York Times - Arts

The primary thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on board at this time of unspeakable loss.

The Guardian - Sport

Magical thinking the belief that wishes can impose their own order on the material world is a form of primary process thought.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primary thought" when you want to emphasize the initial or most important consideration in a given situation. It adds clarity and focuses the reader's attention.

Common error

While "primary thought" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "first thought" or "main thing" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary thought" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies the foremost or most important idea or consideration. According to Ludwig AI, its use is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary thought" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English to describe the foremost or most important idea one has. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples from diverse sources. While not exceedingly common, "primary thought" appears in news media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, indicating its appropriateness for neutral to formal contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "initial thought" for emphasizing the start of the thinking process, or "main consideration" for highlighting the importance of the idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial thought

Replaces "primary" with "initial", emphasizing the beginning of thinking.

first thought

Substitutes "primary" with "first", highlighting the order of thoughts.

main consideration

Shifts the focus to the most important factor being considered.

chief concern

Replaces "thought" with "concern", focusing on the most important worry.

foremost thought

Emphasizes the thought that comes to mind before others.

key idea

Focuses on the central concept or notion.

central idea

Emphasizes the core or pivotal concept.

principal idea

Uses "principal" to denote the most important idea.

dominant thought

Highlights the thought that prevails or has the most influence.

overriding thought

Indicates the thought that takes precedence over others.

FAQs

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

You can use "primary thought" to indicate the first or most important consideration. For example, "My "primary thought" was to ensure everyone's safety.".

What are some alternatives to "primary thought"?

Alternatives include "initial thought", "first thought", or "main consideration", depending on the context.

Is "primary thought" formal or informal?

"Primary thought" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts but might sound overly deliberate in casual settings. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing when choosing this phrase.

What's the difference between "primary thought" and "first impression"?

"Primary thought" refers to an initial consideration or idea, while "first impression" describes an initial perception or feeling about someone or something. They are related to initial experiences, but apply to different contexts.