secondary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is of lesser importance or comes after the primary element in a sequence or hierarchy. Example: "The secondary effects of the medication were not as severe as the primary ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These eddies of trouble, the revival of secondary disputes and the mixture of economic policy with diplomatic grievances and popular rhetoric all echo the atmosphere of the early 1930s.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nearly half (45%) say it's important to pay MPs enough to ensure they're not tempted to add to their income by taking secondary work.

The Guardian

· Secondary education was reduced in Turkmenistan by one year, prompting human rights groups to complain of a deliberate attempt to dumb down the population to prevent dissent.

The Guardian

"You begin to question what could be more important to the president than the lives of these students," said Allen Manasseh, whose 18-year-old sister Maryamu Wavi was abducted from the Chibok government girls secondary school.

The Guardian

On ITV Tom Bradby provided charm, insight and a good array of guests, Adam Boulton was a commanding presence at the heart of Sky's programme – but they lack the ambition or sense of occasion the BBC brings and their secondary presenters offer charm, but less expertise.

The Guardian

Having attended both comprehensive and private secondary schools, and been educated at home because of illness, she may be more open to new thinking than some of her predecessors.

The Guardian

"The intervention is timely", said Samuel Ayabu, the Connecting Classrooms coordinator at Katine secondary.

The Guardian

They are for secondary students and cover migration, migration within the EU and the case of refugees and asylum seekers.

The Guardian

The secondary school programme began in 2007 and is still being rolled out across the country.

The Guardian

Here Schürrle had a secondary role too, his acceleration and willingness to run behind Arsenal's high defensive line a vital quality in the absence of a genuinely pacy centre-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Though she survived breast cancer, a secondary cancer was diagnosed in 2011.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, "secondary" should be used to distinguish between the main component or process and those that are subsequent or supportive. Be clear about the relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary" when you mean "secondary to." "Secondary" describes something of lesser importance, whereas "secondary to" specifies what something else is less important than. Be precise to avoid miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "secondary" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lower level of importance, a subsequent position in a sequence, or a derivative nature. Ludwig examples highlight its use in various contexts, such as "secondary education" and "secondary role."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secondary" functions primarily as an adjective, qualifying nouns by indicating a supporting, less important, or subsequent characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is grammatically correct and highly versatile. It is frequently found in news, media, and professional business domains. When employing "secondary", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the primary element it relates to. Consider alternatives like "subordinate" or "less important" for nuanced expression. Avoid confusing "secondary" with "secondary to" to prevent miscommunication. These insights will help you use "secondary" effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less important

Focuses on the diminished significance compared to something else.

minor

Emphasizes the small scale or degree of something.

subordinate

Indicates a lower rank or position, emphasizing hierarchical relationships.

auxiliary

Highlights the supporting or assisting role of something.

dependent

Highlights reliance on something else for existence or operation.

supplementary

Implies something that adds to or completes something else.

derivative

Points out something originating from or based on something else.

indirect

Suggests a roundabout or not direct connection or effect.

second-order

Indicates a level of derivation or impact that is not primary.

consequential

Relates to events or results that follow as a result.

FAQs

How can I use "secondary" in a sentence?

Use "secondary" to describe something that is of lesser importance or follows the primary element. For instance, "The company's primary goal is profit, but customer satisfaction is a "secondary" concern."

What are some alternatives to the word "secondary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "subordinate", "less important", or "auxiliary".

Is it correct to say something is "secondary importance"?

While grammatically acceptable, it's more common and often clearer to say something is of "secondary" importance or has "secondary" importance. This phrasing ensures proper sentence structure and flow.

What's the difference between "secondary" and "second"?

"Second" refers to the ordinal number in a sequence, while "secondary" denotes something of lesser importance or a derivative. For example, "He came in second place", versus "Customer service is of "secondary" importance to profit".