secondary ranking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary ranking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to refer to a position or status that is not primary or top-tier, often in relation to a hierarchy or classification system. Example: "In the latest survey, our product received a secondary ranking compared to our competitors, indicating room for improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For probes that tied in the number of targets represented, a secondary ranking was used to favor probes most dispersed across the target from those probes which had already been selected to represent that target.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The team's oft-maligned secondary, ranked last in the league, was victimized repeatedly.

The New York Times - Sports

The San Francisco secondary, ranked 29th in the N.F.L., could have similar problems with Evans, especially with Josh Reed, Buffalo's other top receiver, healthy for a second consecutive week.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Chargers' biggest problem is their defense, particularly a porous secondary ranked last in the N.F.L., allowing 265.8 passing yards a game.

The New York Times

Chachaklum was a relatively large site of secondary rank within the Motul de San José polity.

Wikipedia

The Tigers' secondary ranks 38th nationally in pass defense, but keep in mind that Smith threw for 463 yards against LSU earlier this fall.

Huffington Post

Its survey of England's top 20 state secondaries ranked by GCSE results suggested it would be considerably cheaper – well under £60 – if no blazer was required.

The Guardian

Another example for gene rank improvement is that the Cfh (MGI 88385) gene was ranked in second place after adding the predicted secondary phenotypes (rank 43 when using only primary phenotypes) for Complement factor H deficiency (MIM:#609814).

Bioinformatics

But the cameras went away, and Holmes was asked about the challenge of facing the Giants' tattered secondary, which ranks 29th among 32 N.F.L. teams in pass defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Favorable Matchups Quarterback Michael Vick (PHI) vs. Washington — A Redskins secondary that ranked third worst in the league against the pass in 2012 returns as basically the same unit in 2013, outside of safety Madieu Williams.

The New York Times - Sports

Torrey Smith (BAL) vs. Pittsburgh — Smith has nowhere to go but up after one catch for 12 yards last Sunday, but he is up against a tough Steelers secondary that ranks second best in the league.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secondary ranking", clearly define what constitutes the primary ranking to avoid ambiguity. Provide context to clarify why the secondary ranking is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary ranking" to highlight metrics that are not directly related to the primary ranking criteria. Ensure that the secondary criteria provide meaningful additional information or insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary ranking" functions as a noun phrase, where "secondary" acts as an adjective modifying "ranking". It typically describes a ranking that is subordinate or less important than a primary one. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secondary ranking" is a noun phrase used to denote a ranking based on criteria other than the primary ones. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and found in scientific and news contexts. While relatively rare, it serves to provide additional insights and nuanced perspectives. When using this phrase, be sure to clearly define the primary and secondary criteria to avoid confusion. Alternatives include "lower-tier ranking" and "subordinate ranking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower-tier ranking

Replaces "secondary" with "lower-tier", emphasizing the hierarchical position.

subordinate ranking

Uses "subordinate" to indicate a ranking that is less important or dependent.

minor ranking

Emphasizes the lesser significance of the ranking.

auxiliary ranking

Suggests that the ranking provides additional, but not essential, information.

alternative ranking

Implies that the ranking is one of several possible rankings, but not the main one.

supplementary ranking

Highlights that the ranking adds to the primary ranking.

additional ranking

Indicates an extra ranking beyond the primary one.

follow-up ranking

Suggests that the ranking is performed after an initial ranking.

contingent ranking

Implies that the ranking is dependent on certain conditions.

lesser ranking

Simply states that the ranking is of lower importance.

FAQs

How is "secondary ranking" different from primary ranking?

A "secondary ranking" is a ranking of items based on criteria other than the primary or most important criteria. It provides additional insight but is not the main determinant of overall rank.

When is it appropriate to use a "secondary ranking"?

Use a "secondary ranking" when you want to highlight specific aspects or subcategories within a larger dataset, offering a more nuanced perspective than a single, overall ranking can provide. For example, after having a ranking about the safety of planes, you might want to present "the safety ranking" for low cost companies.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "secondary ranking"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "lower-tier ranking", "subordinate ranking", or "minor ranking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I effectively present a "secondary ranking" in my writing?

Clearly label the "secondary ranking" and explain the criteria used to determine it. Compare and contrast it with the primary ranking to highlight key differences and insights. Use visuals to make the information easier to understand.