A silly question

If you don't own a dictionary, you have to get one.

Try this on-line dictionary: www.m-w.com

Look up all three words and I'm sure you can easily answer the question!

Nooo, Mr. CJ, I do have an awfully thick dictionary and did install one dictionary program on my computer, But I just don't get it. I thought the three shared the same meaning: basic or principal or whatever, you know. But 'preliminary' may stress on 'preparing for something', I think. So i can't tell them from each other.

You think right! "preliminary" means "in preparation for something to follow", "leading up to the main event". "preliminary arrangements for an international conference"

"primary" means "most important", "most basic". "primary colors"

"fundamental" is like "primary". "basic", "that on which other things depend" "fundamental truths"

CJ

This is a common problem with a lot of English exams and reviewers. There would be questions that have multiple possible answers but with only one considered correct by the author or examiner. This would be ok if a sample sentence was included. I've lost track of how many e-mails and letters I have sent out calling the author's attention. Each and every time, they'd swear by the accuracy of their