secondary things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items, issues, or aspects that are not primary or of lesser importance in a given context. Example: "While the main focus of the meeting will be on budget allocation, we can also discuss some secondary things like team morale and project timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But these are secondary things.

The New York Times

His premise is that "the thought of our nonexistence may save us from triviality, from entrapment in secondary things".

The Guardian - Books

We have this idea that human beings are separate from their environment and that you could save a human life through military means and military preparation and then worry about these secondary things later," she says.

The Guardian

Although the architecture itself engages with banal, everyday and secondary things, it must be understood that we are unequivocally dealing with architecture and its inextricable link to cultural identity.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

There are secondary things.

Huffington Post

As an evaluator, it's important to focus on three major areas of improvement and worry less about more secondary things.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"But the money is a secondary thing.

The New York Times

That was always a secondary thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's the fault of the architectural discipline which has cast itself into a completely secondary thing".

Independent

"It's going to come out on vinyl, with the CD as a secondary thing in the vinyl," Shields said last year.

The Guardian - Music

"Even if it's a secondary thing, it can make a huge difference in terms of a project being [return on investment] positive or negative".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secondary things" when you want to downplay the importance of certain elements in a discussion or analysis. It's useful for setting priorities and focusing on what truly matters.

Common error

Avoid getting bogged down in "secondary things" to the extent that the main objective is neglected. Keep the primary goals in sight, addressing minor issues only after the core concerns are resolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary things" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to matters, items, or considerations that are of lesser importance or priority compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secondary things" refers to items or concerns of lesser importance within a given context. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It's a noun phrase with a neutral register, commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "minor details" or "lesser concerns". When using "secondary things", ensure you don't let these less important details overshadow the primary focus, and use the phrase to effectively set priorities in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor details

Focuses on the level of detail rather than the overall importance.

lesser concerns

Emphasizes the reduced level of worry or attention required.

peripheral matters

Highlights the position of these issues as being on the edge or outside the main focus.

ancillary items

Focuses on the supporting or supplementary nature of the items.

subordinate elements

Indicates a hierarchical relationship where these elements are below others in rank or importance.

non-essential aspects

Directly points out that these aspects are not crucial or necessary.

incidentals

Refers to minor expenses or items that are not a major part of something.

side issues

Indicates that these issues are separate from the main topic.

trivialities

Highlights the lack of importance or seriousness of these things.

inessentials

Directly states that these are not essential.

FAQs

How can I use "secondary things" in a sentence?

You can use "secondary things" to refer to aspects that are less important than the main focus. For example, "While the budget is our primary concern, we also need to address "secondary things" like team morale".

What are some alternatives to "secondary things"?

Alternatives to "secondary things" include "minor details", "lesser concerns", or "peripheral matters", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "secondary things" in formal writing?

Yes, "secondary things" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. However, consider if a more precise term like "ancillary items" or "subordinate elements" might be more appropriate for specific contexts.

What is the difference between "secondary things" and "inessentials"?

"Secondary things" implies a lower priority compared to something else, while "inessentials" suggests that something is not necessary at all. "Inessentials" are things you can do without, whereas "secondary things" are just less important than the primary focus.