secondary to something

USAGE SUMMARY

"secondary to something" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is of lesser importance or that is affected by something else. For example, "The employee's salary is secondary to the company's sales goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Essential for such an analysis is that the baseline data with respect to defining subgroups and confounders are obtained in similar ways The historical classification of OA in primary and secondary OA has been abandoned because OA is always secondary to something, and usually to a combination of factors [ 11].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Defense is secondary to having something worth defending.

Huffington Post

But the truth is that this is a secondary point to something that requires no sleuthing at all, because China has made it as plain as day: The Chinese government absolutely, unambiguously intends to cut its exports of rare-earth elements to the U.S. and everywhere else.

The New Yorker

But the truth is that this is a secondary point to something that requires no sleuthing at all, because China has made it as plain as day: The Chinese government absolutely, unambiguously intends to cut its exports of rare-earth elements to the U.S. — and everywhere else.

The New Yorker

Because the cause of the towers' collapse is known, said the Police Department's chief of detectives, William Allee, the search for evidence is secondary to the effort to "find something that belongs to somebody".

The New York Times

And it is widely understood that the material produced en charrette -- the drawings, articles, ad campaigns -- is often secondary to the experience of producing something quickly under extreme pressure.

The New York Times - Arts

"You have to keep a cool eye on yourself when you are outraged over something that remains secondary to your life," he wrote.

The New York Times

No matter how unimportant the event, the actual experience of something has become secondary to our capturing of it and telling our followers.

TechCrunch

At the opening of the show, the First Lady emphasized the need for arts programs to be a part of all school curriculum, and not something that comes secondary to other academic pursuits like reading, math and science.

Huffington Post

But that was secondary to the event proving that, when its technology flowed properly, Flowtab had built something that worked and people seemed to enjoy.

TechCrunch

Academics were secondary to them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secondary to something", ensure the primary element is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "profit is secondary", specify "profit is secondary to customer satisfaction".

Common error

Avoid using "secondary to something" in contexts where the primary element is unclear or undefined. This can lead to confusion and weaken the intended meaning. Always ensure the 'something' is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary to something" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating that something is of lesser importance or dependent on something else. This is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secondary to something" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a prepositional phrase, primarily used to indicate that something is of lesser importance or dependent on another element. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the primary element is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include phrases like "less important than something" or "subordinate to something", each subtly shifting the emphasis. The high frequency and diverse application of this phrase underscore its value in expressing relationships of dependence and prioritization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less important than something

Emphasizes the comparative lack of importance relative to another item.

subordinate to something

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

of lesser importance than something

Formally states the diminished importance of one thing compared to another.

dependent on something

Focuses on the reliance of one thing on another for its existence or function.

ancillary to something

Suggests that something is supplementary or supportive, not primary.

tributary to something

Implies a contributing but not essential role.

conditional on something

Indicates that something is contingent upon another thing happening or being true.

a lower priority than something

Directly addresses the prioritization of one thing over another.

contingent on something

Signifies a dependence on something for its occurrence or validity.

derived from something

Highlights that something is originating from another thing.

FAQs

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

Use "secondary to something" to indicate that one thing is less important than or dependent on another. For example, "For our company, employee well-being is "secondary to something" – it's crucial, but customer satisfaction comes first."

What are some alternatives to "secondary to something"?

You can use alternatives like "less important than something", "subordinate to something", or "of lesser importance than something" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less important than" or "secondary to"?

Both "less important than" and "secondary to" are correct, but "secondary to" implies a more direct dependency or consequence. "Less important than" simply indicates a lower priority.

What does it mean when something is described as "secondary"?

When something is "secondary", it means it is not the primary focus or most important element. It depends or is derived from a principal item or concept.