If primates had first evolved as obligatory predators, claws would have been retained as very useful in helping to catch, pierce, and hold onto small prey.
(primates; had evolved; as obligatory predators; T:first) (claws; would have been retained; as very useful in helping to catch, pierce, and hold onto small prey)
primates claws
had evolved would have been retained
as obligatory predators T:first
as very useful in helping to catch, pierce, and hold onto small prey