Secondary vs Secondarily: When To Use Each One In Writing

When it comes to the English language, sometimes the difference between two words can be subtle yet significant. This is certainly the case with the words “secondary” and “secondarily.” While they may seem interchangeable at first glance, there are important distinctions between the two that are worth exploring.

Let’s define the two words. “Secondary” is an adjective that means “coming after, less important than, or resulting from someone or something else that is primary” (Merriam-Webster). On the other hand, “secondarily” is an adverb that means “in a secondary or subordinate manner; second in order of importance” (Dictionary.com).

So, which of these words is the proper one to use in a given situation? The answer, as is often the case with language, is “it depends.” In some cases, “secondary” may be the more appropriate choice, while in others “secondarily” may be the better option.

For example, if you are talking about the second most important thing in a list or hierarchy, “secondary” would be the correct word to use. On the other hand, if you are describing how something is done in a subordinate manner, “secondarily” would be the better choice.

Throughout this article, we will explore the nuances of these two words and provide examples of how they can be used effectively in different contexts.

Define Secondary

Secondary refers to something that is of lesser importance or is subordinate to something else. In the context of education, secondary education refers to the education received by students after completing primary education, usually between the ages of 12 and 18. Secondary sources in research refer to sources that provide information about primary sources, such as books or articles that analyze or interpret primary sources.

In the medical field, a secondary condition refers to a condition that arises as a result of another condition, known as the primary condition. For example, a person with diabetes may develop secondary conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or neuropathy.

Define Secondarily

Secondarily refers to something that is of lesser importance or is subordinate to something else, but is still related to it. For example, if a person’s primary reason for attending a conference is to network with other professionals, their secondary reason may be to attend workshops and gain new knowledge.

In medicine, secondarily can refer to the treatment or management of a secondary condition that arises as a result of a primary condition. For example, a person with diabetes may receive treatment for their secondary condition of diabetic retinopathy.

Secondarily can also refer to something that is done indirectly or as a result of something else. For example, if a company’s primary goal is to increase revenue, their secondarily goal may be to improve customer satisfaction, as this can lead to increased revenue.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the correct words can make all the difference. In this section, we will explore how to properly use the words “secondary” and “secondarily” in a sentence.

How To Use “Secondary” In A Sentence

The word “secondary” is an adjective that describes something that is of lesser importance or rank. Here are a few examples of how to use “secondary” in a sentence:

• The company’s primary focus is on customer satisfaction, with profitability being a secondary goal.
• Although the main character in the novel is important, the secondary characters also play a significant role in the story.
• The team’s secondary objective is to win the championship, but their primary goal is to improve their skills.

As you can see from these examples, “secondary” is typically used to describe something that is not the main focus or priority.

How To Use “Secondarily” In A Sentence

The word “secondarily” is an adverb that describes something that is of lesser importance or rank, but is still relevant to the main topic. Here are a few examples of how to use “secondarily” in a sentence:

• The company’s primary focus is on customer satisfaction, but secondarily they are also concerned with reducing their environmental impact.
• The main character in the novel is important, but secondarily the author also explores the themes of love and loss.
• The team’s primary goal is to improve their skills, but secondarily they also hope to build strong relationships with their teammates.

As you can see from these examples, “secondarily” is typically used to describe something that is not the main focus, but is still relevant to the topic at hand.

More Examples Of Secondary & Secondarily Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the usage of the words “secondary” and “secondarily,” let’s take a look at some more examples of how these words can be used in sentences.

Examples Of Using “Secondary” In A Sentence

• Her primary responsibility is managing the team, but she also has some secondary duties.
• The secondary character in the novel was more interesting than the protagonist.
• The company’s main focus is on software development, but they also offer secondary services such as consulting.
• He suffered a primary injury to his leg, but the secondary injury to his head was more severe.
• The secondary school curriculum includes a wide range of subjects.
• Her primary goal is to become a doctor, but she is also pursuing a secondary degree in business.
• The secondary market for luxury goods is growing rapidly.
• The primary color of the logo is blue, but the secondary color is green.
• He was the primary suspect in the investigation, but the secondary suspect was also implicated.
• The company’s primary source of revenue is advertising, but they also generate income through secondary channels such as sponsorships.

Examples Of Using “Secondarily” In A Sentence

• He is primarily a writer, but he also works secondarily as a teacher.
• The company’s main focus is on product development, but they also invest secondarily in marketing.
• She is primarily interested in art, but she also enjoys secondarily studying history.
• The main cause of the disease is genetic, but environmental factors can secondarily contribute to its development.
• The company’s primary market is in the United States, but they also sell secondarily in Europe and Asia.
• He is primarily responsible for managing the team, but he also secondarily handles some administrative tasks.
• The primary goal of the project is to increase revenue, but secondarily it aims to improve customer satisfaction.
• The company’s primary objective is to expand its product line, but secondarily it hopes to increase its market share.
• She is primarily known for her work in film, but she has also secondarily directed several stage productions.
• The primary focus of the conference is on technology, but secondarily it will address issues related to sustainability.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “secondary” and “secondarily,” there are some common mistakes that people make when using them interchangeably. These mistakes can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Secondary” As An Adverb

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “secondary” as an adverb instead of using “secondarily.” For example, someone might say “I am secondary interested in the project” instead of saying “I am secondarily interested in the project.” This mistake occurs because “secondary” sounds like an adverb, but it is actually an adjective. “Secondarily” is the correct adverb form of “secondary.”

Using “Secondarily” As An Adjective

Another common mistake is using “secondarily” as an adjective instead of using “secondary.” For example, someone might say “The secondarily issue is not important” instead of saying “The secondary issue is not important.” This mistake occurs because “secondarily” sounds like an adjective, but it is actually an adverb. “Secondary” is the correct adjective form of “secondarily.”

Using “Secondary” And “Secondarily” Interchangeably

Finally, some people use “secondary” and “secondarily” interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. “Secondary” means “less important” or “not primary,” while “secondarily” means “in a secondary manner” or “as a secondary effect.” Using these words interchangeably can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the difference between “secondary” and “secondarily.” Here are some tips:

• Remember that “secondary” is an adjective and “secondarily” is an adverb.
• Use “secondary” to describe something that is less important or not primary.
• Use “secondarily” to describe something that happens as a secondary effect or in a secondary manner.
• Avoid using “secondary” as an adverb and “secondarily” as an adjective.
• Double-check your usage of these words to ensure that you are using them correctly.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “secondary” and “secondarily,” context is key. The decision between the two depends on the specific situation in which they are used. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “secondary” and “secondarily” might change:

1. Grammar And Syntax

In the context of grammar and syntax, “secondary” is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is of lesser importance or rank. For example, in the sentence “The primary goal is to increase sales, while the secondary goal is to improve customer satisfaction,” the word “secondary” is used to indicate that improving customer satisfaction is less important than increasing sales.

On the other hand, “secondarily” is an adverb that is used to describe the manner in which something is done. For example, in the sentence “The company’s primary focus is on increasing sales, but it is also working secondarily to improve customer satisfaction,” the word “secondarily” is used to indicate that improving customer satisfaction is being done in a secondary or subordinate manner to the primary focus of increasing sales.

2. Medical Terminology

In the context of medical terminology, “secondary” and “secondarily” are often used to describe different types of conditions. “Secondary” is used to describe a condition that arises as a result of another condition, while “secondarily” is used to describe a condition that is caused by a primary condition, but is not directly related to it.

For example, in the sentence “The patient’s primary diagnosis is diabetes, but he also has secondary hypertension,” the word “secondary” is used to indicate that the patient’s hypertension is a result of his diabetes. On the other hand, in the sentence “The patient’s primary diagnosis is cancer, but he also has secondarily developed depression,” the word “secondarily” is used to indicate that the patient’s depression is caused by his cancer, but is not directly related to it.

3. Environmental Science

In the context of environmental science, “secondary” and “secondarily” are often used to describe different types of pollutants. “Secondary” pollutants are those that are formed as a result of chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other substances in the environment, while “secondarily” pollutants are those that are formed as a result of natural processes.

For example, in the sentence “The primary pollutants emitted by the factory are nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, which can react in the atmosphere to form secondary pollutants such as ozone and acid rain,” the word “secondary” is used to indicate that ozone and acid rain are formed as a result of chemical reactions between the primary pollutants and other substances in the atmosphere. On the other hand, in the sentence “The forest fire released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which was secondarily absorbed by the ocean,” the word “secondarily” is used to indicate that the ocean absorbed the carbon dioxide as a result of natural processes.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using secondary and secondarily are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where these guidelines may not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Adverbial Phrases

When an adverbial phrase modifies a verb, it is generally more appropriate to use secondarily instead of secondary. For example:

• The company is primarily focused on customer satisfaction.
• The company is focused on customer satisfaction secondarily, with their primary goal being profit.

In this case, secondarily is used to indicate that customer satisfaction is not the company’s primary goal, but rather a secondary consideration.

2. Technical Writing

In technical writing, the use of secondary and secondarily may be more nuanced. For example:

Term	Definition
Secondary Data	Data that has been collected by someone else for a different purpose
Secondarily	As a secondary effect or result

In this case, secondary is used to describe data that has been collected by someone else, while secondarily is used to describe the effect or result of something.

3. Unique Contexts

There may be unique contexts where the use of secondary and secondarily may not follow the general guidelines. For example:

• The secondary school is located in a secondarily industrialized area.

In this case, the word secondary is used to describe the school’s level of education, while secondarily is used to describe the area’s level of industrialization.

Overall, while the rules for using secondary and secondarily are generally straightforward, it’s important to consider the context and nuances of each situation to determine the most appropriate usage.

Practice Exercises

To help readers improve their understanding and use of secondary and secondarily in sentences, we have compiled a set of practice exercises. These exercises are designed to test your knowledge of the two words and their usage in different contexts. We recommend that you attempt all the exercises to get a better grasp of the nuances involved.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blanks

Directions: Fill in the blanks with either secondary or secondarily.

1. The ___________ goal of this project is to increase sales.
2. He was ___________ responsible for the success of the campaign.
3. Her ___________ role in the company was to manage the finances.
4. The company’s ___________ objective is to expand into new markets.
5. He ___________ considered the proposal before rejecting it.

Answer Key:

1. The secondary goal of this project is to increase sales.
2. He was secondarily responsible for the success of the campaign.
3. Her secondary role in the company was to manage the finances.
4. The company’s primary objective is to expand into new markets.
5. He secondarily considered the proposal before rejecting it.

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Directions: Complete the following sentences using either secondary or secondarily.

1. She was ___________ involved in the project, but her contribution was invaluable.
2. The ___________ reason for his resignation was the lack of support from his team.
3. He ___________ focused on his studies, ignoring all distractions.
4. The ___________ effect of the new policy was a reduction in costs.
5. They were ___________ concerned about the impact of the decision on the environment.

Answer Key:

1. She was secondarily involved in the project, but her contribution was invaluable.
2. The secondary reason for his resignation was the lack of support from his team.
3. He secondarily focused on his studies, ignoring all distractions.
4. The secondary effect of the new policy was a reduction in costs.
5. They were primarily concerned about the impact of the decision on the environment.

We hope that these exercises have helped you improve your understanding and use of secondary and secondarily. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used to ensure that you use them correctly in your writing.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between secondary and secondarily, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Secondary refers to something that is second in importance or rank, while secondarily refers to something that is done in a secondary or subordinate manner.

It is important to understand the nuances of language use in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion. By paying attention to the subtle differences between similar words, we can improve our writing and speaking skills.

Key Takeaways

• Secondary and secondarily have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.
• Secondary refers to something that is second in importance or rank.
• Secondarily refers to something that is done in a secondary or subordinate manner.
• Understanding the nuances of language use can improve communication skills.

As with any topic, there is always more to learn about grammar and language use. By continuing to explore these areas, we can become more confident and effective communicators.