the primary conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary conflict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main issue or struggle in a narrative, discussion, or analysis. Example: "In the story, the primary conflict arises between the protagonist and the antagonist, driving the plot forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The issue of Kurdish autonomy remains the primary conflict in Turkish politics, and Mr. Erdogan's government has refused to engage with the P.K.K., which is listed as a terrorist group by the European Union and the United States.

The New York Times

The primary conflict in this story is between George and his teenage son Sam Hayden Christensenn), who eventually heal their estranged relationship by working together on the house.

Huffington Post

For Marx the primary conflict was not between various classes, but rather between the various classes (that make up a set) and those who are excluded from the classificatory system as such.

Huffington Post

With Blade Runner: 2049 just a couple of weeks away, Watanabe's take on the neon dystopia sets up the primary conflict between equality-seeking replicants and the humans who seem to endorse Niander Wallace's analysis that, "Every leap of civilization was built off the back of slaves".

Vice

And the third act does feel a bit rushed in its need to not only resolve the primary conflict, but also set up the status quo for next summer's Avengers opus, with all the requisite winks, nods, and cameos (make sure you stick around after the credits!) you'd expect.

Huffington Post

I mean it's constantly…." Another participant acknowledged, "The primary conflict is always in the diet".

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Women have reported alarming levels of sexual abuse in the capital and in provinces far from Congo's war-torn east, a sign that the problem extends beyond the nation's primary conflict zone.

The New York Times

The primary ethical conflict pertains to the conduct of medical research involving humans and is predominantly focused at the level of individual agency.

Global Health Action

Although self-blame was the primary marital conflict appraisal examined in the current study, to provide a contrasting test we also examined scores on the eleven-item conflict properties scale, which measures the frequency and intensity of observed marital conflict.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Christian's own primary conflict — whether he's willing to compromise on the fulfillment of his sexual desires for the sake of a lasting and stable relationship with Ana — is likewise dropped unexplored.

The New Yorker

Georgia contends that its primary conflict is with Russia, which has supported separatism in Georgia's breakaway regions since the early 1990s.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary conflict", ensure that the context clearly establishes what other, secondary conflicts might exist. This helps to emphasize the importance of the primary one.

Common error

Avoid using "the primary conflict" when there's only one conflict present. Instead, simply refer to "the conflict". Overusing "primary" can weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary conflict" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI shows that it identifies the main source of contention or struggle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary conflict" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to identify the most significant conflict in a given scenario. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and utility. While its occurrence is relatively rare, it is employed across diverse contexts, notably in news, scientific, and formal business settings. Alternative phrasings include "the main conflict" or "the central conflict". When utilizing this phrase, ensure the context warrants specifying a 'primary' conflict over others to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main conflict

Replaces "primary" with "main", offering a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

the central conflict

Substitutes "primary" with "central", emphasizing the core or focal point of the dispute.

the key conflict

Uses "key" instead of "primary" to highlight the importance of the conflict.

the principal conflict

Replaces "primary" with "principal", providing a slightly more formal synonym.

the major conflict

Substitutes "primary" with "major", indicating a conflict of significant scale or impact.

the core conflict

Emphasizes that the conflict is at the heart or essence of the situation.

the fundamental conflict

Highlights the conflict as being foundational or underlying.

the chief conflict

Uses "chief" instead of "primary", denoting a conflict of leading importance.

the overriding conflict

Suggests the conflict is the most important and influential one.

the dominant conflict

Implies the conflict has the most power or influence over the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "the primary conflict" in a sentence?

You can use "the primary conflict" to identify the main source of disagreement or struggle in a situation. For example, "The primary conflict in the negotiation was the distribution of resources".

What's a good alternative to "the primary conflict"?

Alternatives include "the main conflict", "the central conflict", or "the key conflict", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "the primary conflict"?

Use "the primary conflict" when you need to distinguish the most significant conflict from other, less important conflicts or issues. It is particularly useful in analytical or descriptive writing where you want to emphasize the core problem.

Is there a difference between "the primary conflict" and "a primary conflict"?

"The primary conflict" suggests there is one main conflict above all others. "A primary conflict" suggests it is one of several important conflicts, but not necessarily the most important one.