Words / B2

pry-MER-uh-lee/praɪˈmerəli/

Primarily means mainly; first of all: primarily for tutoring; primarily concerned with. Mainly is everyday; primary is the adjective (already in the dictionary). The grant is primarily for catch-up tutoring. Mix-up: primarily vs completely; primly. Do not write primarily when the source says the only aim.

Meaning

Mainly; first of all.

Examples

• “The grant is primarily for catch-up tutoring, not a trip, the letter said.”
• “The study is primarily qualitative, which is the methods sense.”

Good to know

primarily + adjective / preposition phrase; primarily concerned with. Adjective: primary. Everyday: mainly. Trap: “only”. Evaluations and funding letters. Mainly, not exclusively unless stated.

Near in meaning

mainly

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