B2adverb2K

Primarily

UK /["/praɪˈmerəli//ˈpraɪmərəli/"]/US /["/praɪˈmerəli/"]/

Definition

mainly

In simple words: mainly; for the most part

Examples

  • 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.

Usage notes

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.

Collocations

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

Synonyms

  • chiefly

Antonyms

  • secondarily
  • incidentally
  • subordinately

Common mistakes

  • 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.