Primary concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Primary concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main issue or matter of importance in a discussion or situation. Example: "The primary concern for the committee is ensuring the safety of all participants during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's our primary concern.

The Guardian

The primary concern is fitness.

The New York Times

But speed wasn't the primary concern.

The New York Times

The decathlon remains Eaton's primary concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Cohen makes such matters his primary concern.

The New York Times - Books

Wearability is not her primary concern.

The New York Times

Weight has remained my primary concern.

The Guardian - Books

My primary concern is passenger safety.

The New York Times

Florida's primary concern is the origination fees.

The New York Times

So, which should be the primary concern?

The New York Times

The secondary remains the Jets' primary concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary concern", ensure it clearly reflects the most important issue at hand to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "primary concern" is valid, overuse can make writing monotonous. Vary your language with synonyms like "main priority" or "chief worry" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most important issue or worry in a given situation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears in sentences where highlighting the main focus is essential.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary concern" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to emphasize the most important issue in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. Analysis reveals that it is frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While it is essential for clear communication, varying your language with synonyms like "main worry" or "chief concern" can improve your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief concern

Uses "chief" to emphasize the importance of the concern.

greatest concern

Uses "greatest" to denote the magnitude of the concern.

principal worry

Replaces "primary" with "principal", indicating the main worry.

foremost issue

Replaces "primary" with "foremost", suggesting it comes first in importance.

main worry

Focuses specifically on the worry aspect.

central issue

Highlights that the concern is the core problem.

main priority

Like top priority this alternative emphasizes that is the main aspect that requires attention.

top priority

Shifts focus to prioritization rather than concern.

key focus

Emphasizes the central point of attention.

major consideration

Indicates that it's a significant factor to consider.

FAQs

How can I use "primary concern" in a sentence?

You can use "primary concern" to highlight the most important issue in a given situation. For example, "The patient's health is the doctor's "primary concern"".

What phrases can I use instead of "primary concern"?

Alternatives include "main worry", "chief concern", or "top priority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the primary concern is"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The structure "the primary concern is" is frequently used to introduce what the most important issue is.

What's the difference between "primary concern" and "secondary concern"?

"Primary concern" refers to the most important issue, while "secondary concern" refers to issues that are important but less critical than the primary one. Think of it as first versus second in terms of importance.