Research · Study
primary source
original research material
A primary source is original material created during or close to the event being studied.
This vs that
The interview transcript is a primary source.
The textbook is a secondary source.
Hear it in real life
Did you read the original interview?
Yes, it's a useful primary source.
For my history essay, I used the diary as a primary source.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
The native collocation is clear and standard in research discussions.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: A newspaper article about the event is always a primary source.
Say: A newspaper article about the event is not necessarily a primary source.
A report about an event may analyse it rather than provide original material.
Build it
How it fits in a sentence.
a primary source; use/consult a primary source
Phrases to borrow
More for talking about research.
find evidence to support ___
We need to find evidence to support that claim.
Research words
Study · Research: the words around “primary source”.
More connectionsEasy to mix up · More research words9
Your turn: say it out loud
This is a primary source from the time.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
primary source
original research material
“For my history essay, I used the diary as a primary source.”
heytardy