prime target

USAGE SUMMARY

"prime target" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to mean the most important, relevant, or valuable target or goal for something. For example, "Increasing revenue is the company's prime target this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So that gives you a prime target".

The New York Times

The prime target was Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

He made Anderson a prime target.

The New Yorker

Abdullah Al-Sanousi is one prime target.

The New York Times

Their prime target was the legislature.

The Guardian

Which may make her a prime target.

The New York Times

A prime target for American investment.

The New York Times

The prime target: the United Nations.

The New York Times

Small businesses are a prime target.

The New York Times

And Baltimore has become a prime target.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Additional 60 prime-target filler trials were added.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts like medicine or cybersecurity, utilize the phrase to identify specific points of vulnerability, such as a protein being a "prime target" for drug development.

Common error

Avoid using tautologies like "main prime target" or "top prime target", as "prime" already conveys the highest level of importance. Additionally, ensure the target is actually singular in focus unless using the plural form; referring to five different things as the "prime target" simultaneously dilutes the meaning of the word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prime target" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or a direct object. In the sentences provided by Ludwig, the adjective "prime" acts as a superlative modifier for the noun "target", identifying the highest-priority entity within a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Informal Speech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "prime target" is a versatile and highly effective phrase for indicating the most important focal point of any activity. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across prestigious news outlets, scientific research and business reports. It is grammatically sound and serves as a powerful tool for writers to direct their audience's attention toward a specific priority. Whether you are describing a strategic business goal, a biological vulnerability or a political objective, "prime target" remains a standard and authoritative choice in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary target

More formal and often used in academic or military contexts to denote the first objective.

main objective

Shifts the focus from the entity being targeted to the goal of the action.

chief aim

Suggests a primary purpose or intention rather than a physical or strategic target.

principal focus

Emphasizes attention and concentration rather than an adversarial or transactional target.

key priority

Highlights the strategic importance within a broader list of tasks or goals.

major target

Indicates significant scale or impact without necessarily implying it is the absolute first.

central figure

Specifically used when the target is a person of high importance in a narrative or investigation.

preferential target

Suggests a target chosen based on specific advantages or favorable conditions.

priority area

Used when the focus is a geographical location or a specific sector of an industry.

ideal candidate

Common in recruitment or marketing to describe a person who perfectly fits a specific profile.

FAQs

How do I use "prime target" in a professional sentence?

In professional writing, you can use it to highlight strategic focus. For example: "Due to its rapid growth, the tech sector has become a "prime target" for venture capital."

What can I say instead of "prime target" in an academic paper?

In more formal academic contexts, you might prefer terms like "primary target" or "principal objective" to maintain a detached and precise tone.

Is "prime target" always used for negative things?

No, while often used in contexts of crime or cyberattacks, it is also used positively in business and science. For instance, a demographic can be a "prime target" for a new product, or a gene can be a "prime target" for a cure.

What is the difference between "prime target" and "primary target"?

While often interchangeable, "prime target" often carries a connotation of being the 'best' or 'most ripe' for an action, whereas "primary target" emphasizes its position as the first or most important in a sequence.