secondary than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary than" is not correct in English and is not usable in written English.
It seems to be a mistaken combination of comparative forms and should not be used in this way. Example: "This option is secondary to the main choice."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I think they played better as a defensive secondary than maybe we gave them credit for," Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia said.

The New York Times - Sports

One explanation for the "very healthy proportion of male applicants" for prep teaching posts could be that far more men train for secondary than primary teaching, he suggests.

The Guardian

Mickens, who has more years in the Jets' secondary than anyone else in training camp, appeared to be a cinch to start after the team lost cornerbacks Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman to the Houston Texans in the expansion draft.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the Jets have better linebackers and a better secondary than the Detroit Lions, whose resistance was so futile that Brady finished the game with a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating.

The New York Times - Sports

The Cardinals disrupted Rex Grossman's sightline with their blitzes and got a better performance out of the secondary than last week, but mishandled coverages at the safety position proved costly in the fourth quarter.

The New York Times

I'm a little surprised by this pick – the Browns have greater need in the secondary than they do on the defensive line, in my opinion, but it just goes to show the premium placed on pass rushers in a pass-happy league.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"That's the more interesting part of secondaries than any of the organized, SecondMarket things, which in our case are total non-factors".

TechCrunch

It is similar to the reasons why the Institute for Fiscal Studies were also more sceptical about London secondaries than others.

BBC

I use three simple categories of education (low: less than secondary education; medium: greater than secondary but less than completed university education; and high: university education), which were collapsed based on ISCED classifications included in each survey.

European Journal of Population

The union argues that the problem has been compounded by the creation of new secondary rather than primary free schools.

The Guardian

The problem of disruption affecting learning is generally worse in secondary schools than primary schools, according to the findings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "secondary than" in your writing; instead, use "secondary to" or rephrase your sentence to use alternatives such as "less important than" or "not as significant as".

Common error

The most common error is using "than" instead of "to" after "secondary" in comparisons. Remember that "secondary" implies a relationship or order, often best expressed with "to", while "than" is used for direct comparisons of adjectives or adverbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary than" functions as a comparative, attempting to establish a relationship of lesser importance. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates the correct form is "secondary to" or the use of alternative comparative constructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "secondary than" appears in a variety of contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, the correct phrasing is "secondary to", or using alternative comparative structures such as "less important than". Its usage spans science, news and media, and formal business contexts, but its incorrect nature makes it unsuitable for formal writing. Remember to use "secondary to" to correctly express that something is of lesser importance. Be mindful of the correct comparative structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less important than

Focuses on the relative importance, replacing "secondary" with a direct measure of significance.

subordinate to

Emphasizes a hierarchical relationship, where one thing is under the authority or control of another.

of lesser significance than

Highlights the reduced value or impact compared to something else.

not as crucial as

Indicates a lower level of necessity or criticality.

of minor importance compared to

Stresses the small degree of relevance or consequence.

ancillary to

Suggests a supporting or auxiliary role, rather than a primary one.

below the primary level of

Positions something as being at a lower rank or stage.

secondary to

Corrects the grammar by using "to" instead of "than" in the comparison.

lesser than

Provides a direct comparison of quantity or degree.

not as vital as

Highlights the reduced level of essentiality or need.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "secondary" in a comparative sentence?

Use "secondary to" instead of "secondary than". For example, "This issue is "secondary to" the main problem" is grammatically correct.

What are some alternatives to the incorrect phrase "secondary than"?

Consider using phrases like "less important than", "not as significant as", or "subordinate to" depending on the context.

Is "secondary than" ever considered grammatically acceptable?

No, "secondary than" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form for expressing that something is of lesser importance is "secondary to".

What's the difference between "secondary to" and "less important than"?

"Secondary to" implies a hierarchical relationship or order of importance, while "less important than" directly compares the significance of two things. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.