Of greatest concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Of greatest concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight something that is particularly troubling or important in a given context. Example: "The recent rise in cyberattacks is of greatest concern to our security team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of greatest concern was consumption of junk foods.

The Guardian

Of greatest concern to Manis was that the patient was getting worse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of greatest concern, however, is that they will immediately have grossly disproportionate results.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of greatest concern was what to do with the District's freed slaves — integration being out of the question.

The New York Times

Of greatest concern to Mr. Stivale are the chancel windows by the Lamb Studios, which are buckling visibly.

The New York Times

Of greatest concern are metropolitan cities like Hong Kong.

Environmental Research

Of greatest concern is the high concentration of toxic arsenic in groundwater samples.

Geochemical Transactions

Of greatest concern in this regard are the numerous products marketed specifically toward children.

International Journal of Food Contamination

Of greatest concern, according to Bradish Meyers, are proposals to cut drug costs.

Forbes

Of greatest concern is the apparent lack of implementation of return-to-play protocols (Hollis et al. 2012; Haran et al. 2015).

Injury Epidemiology

Of greatest concern, communication deficits may compromise the integrity of informed consent for potential trial participants.

Genetics in Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of greatest concern", ensure that the subject of concern is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The situation is of greatest concern", specify "The lack of funding is of greatest concern to the research team".

Common error

While "of greatest concern" is appropriate, avoid using it excessively in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "primary issue" or "key challenge" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of greatest concern" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate the highest level of worry or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights its prevalence in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of greatest concern" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the utmost importance or worry associated with a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, noting its prevalent usage across varied contexts like news, science, and formal business. It's essential to define the subject of concern clearly and avoid overuse. Alternatives include "most alarming" and "top priority", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most worrying

Emphasizes the anxiety-inducing nature of the issue.

foremost issue

Points out that the problem is the most prominent or important.

most alarming

Focuses specifically on causing alarm, often highlighting potential danger.

primary worry

Highlights a main issue of apprehension or anxiety.

most critical issue

Highlights that the matter is decisive or essential.

biggest fear

Focuses on the emotion of fear associated with the concern.

top priority

Shifts the focus to importance and the need for immediate attention.

prime consideration

Focuses on importance in decision-making and planning.

main preoccupation

Indicates a dominant or absorbing focus of thought and worry.

central anxiety

Highlights the role of anxiety within an issue.

FAQs

How can I use "of greatest concern" in a sentence?

Use "of greatest concern" to highlight the most worrying or critical aspect of a situation. For example, "The environmental impact of the new factory is of greatest concern to local residents".

What are some alternatives to "of greatest concern"?

You can use alternatives like "most alarming", "top priority", or "foremost issue" depending on the context.

Is "of greatest concern" formal or informal?

"Of greatest concern" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It's frequently found in news reports, scientific papers, and business documents.

What makes "of greatest concern" different from "of great concern"?

"Of greatest concern" emphasizes the highest level of worry or importance, suggesting that the matter is more critical than something that is merely "of great concern".