primary variable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary variable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as research, statistics, or data analysis to refer to the main variable of interest in a study or experiment. Example: "In this experiment, the primary variable we are examining is the effect of temperature on enzyme activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latter is the primary variable.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The primary variable was the open-to-solid area ratio.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The energy density constitutes the primary variable in EFEA.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Foam yield stress (τ0) was the primary variable of interest.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Dr. Hasler helped define the importance of interplay between land and water as a primary variable in the water quality and ecological health of freshwater bodies.

The New York Times

The bookend stays in the more controlled environment reassured her that sugar would remain the primary variable in their lives.

University of California, Berkeley

Since there was >10% difference in the number of subjects in the ITT and PP populations a separate PP analysis was performed for the primary variable.

Nature

The mixed form of Richard's equation is solved using a standard finite element method (FEM) with primary variable switching.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

A matching series of dip-coating experiments was also carried out with the retraction speed as a primary variable.

Chemical Engineering Science

Solving this problem with a primary variable switching method is less preferred due to the mathematical complexity.

Journal of Hydrology

It does not extrapolate the primary variable to Neumann boundaries, as this was previously done in similar methods.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In statistical analysis, ensure that the "primary variable" is appropriately measured and scaled to allow for meaningful interpretation of results.

Common error

Avoid assuming the "primary variable" is the only important factor. Acknowledge and discuss other variables that may influence the outcome, even if they are not the main focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary variable" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object within a sentence. It identifies the most important variable under consideration, aligning with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

15%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary variable" is a noun phrase used to denote the most important factor under consideration, predominantly in scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. While alternatives like "main variable" or "key variable" exist, the original phrase is widely accepted. It's crucial to clearly define the "primary variable" in any study to avoid ambiguity. Remember that while a "primary variable" is significant, other variables may also play a role. The phrase is commonly found in sources like ScienceDirect, Nature, and PlosOne, indicating its formal and scientific register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main variable

Replaces "primary" with "main", offering a more common and simpler alternative.

key variable

Substitutes "primary" with "key", emphasizing the importance of the variable.

principal variable

Uses "principal" instead of "primary", suggesting the variable is of highest importance.

chief variable

Replaces "primary" with "chief", highlighting the variable as the most significant.

leading variable

Uses "leading" to indicate the variable that has the most influence or impact.

dominant variable

Emphasizes the controlling or prevailing nature of the variable.

most important variable

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the variable's significance.

critical variable

Highlights the essential or crucial nature of the variable.

independent variable

Specifies the type of variable, focusing on its role as a predictor or cause.

dependent variable

Identifies the variable being measured or tested, contrasting it with the independent variable.

FAQs

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

You can use "primary variable" to indicate the most important factor being examined in a study. For example, "In this study, the "primary variable" was the effect of sunlight on plant growth."

What is another way to say "primary variable"?

Alternatives to "primary variable" include "main variable", "key variable", or "principal variable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

In research, what makes a variable the "primary variable"?

A "primary variable" is typically the variable that is most directly related to the research question or hypothesis. It's the main factor that researchers are manipulating or measuring to understand its effect.

What's the difference between "primary variable" and "independent variable"?

While sometimes used interchangeably, the "primary variable" is the main focus of the study, while the "independent variable" is the variable that is manipulated to see its effect on a dependent variable. The primary variable may or may not be the independent variable.