B2adverb 2K

Primarily

🇬🇧 UK /["/praɪˈmerəli//ˈpraɪmərəli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/praɪˈmerəli/"]/

Meaning of Primarily

mainly

In simple words: mainly; for the most part

Primarily in a sentence

• a course designed primarily for specialists
• The problem is not primarily a financial one.
• The report is primarily concerned with aircraft safety.
• The person primarily responsible is the project manager.
• Her view is that prejudice is caused primarily by ignorance.
• History is after all primarily about people.
• In the 1790s Britain was still primarily an agricultural country.
• It was the first book of poetry primarily designed for children.
• The new model is a car aimed primarily at commuters.
• You will need to prove that the marriage was not entered into primarily for immigration reasons.

How to use Primarily

Use 'primarily' when you want to focus on the main reason or purpose; it's suitable in both spoken and written English but is more common in formal contexts than casual conversation.

Grammar pattern

primarily + verb (or adjective)

Memory hint

Think of 'primary school' where you learn the basics, so 'primarily' means focusing on the basics.

Related words

Collocations with Primarily

• primarily concerned
• primarily focused
• primarily used
• primarily for
• primarily about

Synonyms for Primarily

• chiefly

Opposites of Primarily

• secondarily
• incidentally
• subordinately

Common mistakes with Primarily

• Confused with 'principally' which has a similar meaning but different usage.
• Using it in a negative context incorrectly, such as saying 'not primarily' when 'not mainly' is clearer.
• Incorrectly placing 'primarily' at the end of a sentence.

Frequently asked questions about Primarily

What does Primarily mean?

mainly; for the most part

What is the definition of Primarily?

mainly

How do you use Primarily in a sentence?

a course designed primarily for specialists

Can you give another example of Primarily?

The problem is not primarily a financial one.

What are synonyms for Primarily?

Common alternatives include chiefly.

What is the opposite of Primarily?

Opposite meanings include secondarily, incidentally, subordinately.

What words go with Primarily?

It commonly pairs with primarily concerned, primarily focused, primarily used, primarily for, primarily about.

What are common mistakes when using Primarily?

Confused with 'principally' which has a similar meaning but different usage. Using it in a negative context incorrectly, such as saying 'not primarily' when 'not mainly' is clearer. Incorrectly placing 'primarily' at the end of a sentence.

How do you pronounce Primarily?

US: /["/praɪˈmerəli/"]/, UK: /["/praɪˈmerəli//ˈpraɪmərəli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Primarily?

Use 'primarily' when you want to focus on the main reason or purpose; it's suitable in both spoken and written English but is more common in formal contexts than casual conversation.

What CEFR level is Primarily?

"Primarily" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.