secondary to

USAGE SUMMARY

"secondary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression used to indicate a result or consequence of something else. For example, "Depression is secondary to chronic stress," meaning that depression is a result or consequence of chronic stress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Academics were secondary to them.

The New York Times - Sports

Money is secondary to that.

The Guardian

Those are secondary to winning.

The New York Times - Sports

Her children are secondary to that.

The New Yorker

It is entirely secondary to the work".

The New York Times - Magazine

"The audience almost becomes secondary to me.

The New York Times - Arts

JS: Is fashion secondary to your success?

Independent

THE PLAYLIST Music is secondary to conversation.

The New York Times

Material concerns are secondary to winning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anything else is secondary to that.

The Guardian - Film

"The streak is secondary to us.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secondary to" to clearly indicate that one thing is less important than another. Ensure the relationship between the two is evident in your sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary to" when you mean something is completely unrelated. The phrase implies a hierarchical relationship, not an absence of connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something is of lesser importance or consequence compared to something else. It establishes a hierarchy where one element is subordinate to another, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secondary to" is a versatile phrase used to denote lesser importance or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Its prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedic sources highlights its applicability in both formal and neutral settings. When using the phrase, ensure a clear hierarchical relationship is established between the elements being compared. Alternatives like "less important than" or "subordinate to" can be used to convey similar meanings, providing flexibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less important than

Directly conveys a lower level of importance.

subordinate to

Indicates a position of lower rank or significance.

of lower priority than

Explicitly states a reduced level of precedence.

not as significant as

Focuses on the comparative lack of importance.

ancillary to

Highlights the supporting or supplementary nature.

dependent on

Emphasizes reliance on something else.

contingent on

Shows that something is conditional or dependent on another factor.

conditional upon

Similar to 'contingent on', suggesting reliance.

less crucial than

Implies a reduced level of necessity.

peripheral to

Suggests that something is of minor importance.

FAQs

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

Use "secondary to" to show that something is less important than something else. For example, "In this company, profit is "secondary to" customer satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to "secondary to"?

Alternatives include "less important than", "subordinate to", or "of lower priority than", each conveying a similar sense of reduced importance.

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

No, it's illogical to say something is "secondary to" itself. The phrase implies a comparison between two distinct elements, where one is less important than the other.

What's the difference between "secondary to" and "incidental to"?

"Secondary to" indicates a hierarchical relationship where one thing is less important, while "incidental to" suggests something is happening as a minor consequence or accompaniment.