a core concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a core concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight a fundamental issue or primary focus in a discussion or analysis. Example: "Environmental sustainability has become a core concern for many businesses in today's market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Melody was a core concern on that album, however Mr. Klein chose to reframe it.

The New York Times - Arts

More particularly, criminal justice reform is not a core concern of the Republican base.

The New York Times

As a core concern, it's hard to overstate the extent to which Pakistan depends on the Indus River, Briscoe said.

Harvard University

All of these texts address a core concern: What compels people to behave in the ways that they do?

Yale University

This collection of writings, statements, mediations, fictions, polemics, and discussions identifies failure as a core concern in cultural production.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Earnest, outlining Obama's longstanding thinking about launching new air strikes in Iraq, noted that protecting US personnel was a core concern for the US president.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Hayek has an important point, but his core concern is the "mirage" of thinking that justice requires rewarding people for supplying inputs rather than for supplying outputs.

SEP

Physical activity should be a core educational concern, not a dispensable option.

The New York Times

Through a combination of education and activism, the group wants to make judicial appointments a core electoral concern for progressive voters and a standard talking point for Democratic politicians.

The New York Times

Encouraged by that success, the World Bank has now established an even more ambitious set of goals -- ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity by 2030 -- marking the first time the Bank has taken on inequality as a core development concern.

HuffPost

They do not focus on what campaigners see as the core concern: how Shell plans to manage its way to a low-carbon global economy.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multiple issues, use "a core concern" to single out the most significant one. This adds emphasis and directs attention to the most crucial point.

Common error

Avoid using "a core concern" repeatedly in a single document. Vary your language with synonyms like "primary focus", "key priority", or "central issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a core concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and emphasizes the primary or most important worry, issue, or focus within a given context. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in highlighting critical aspects across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a core concern" is a valuable phrase for highlighting the primary issues or priorities in various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. Remember to use it judiciously, varying your language to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives like "principal concern", "central focus", or "key priority" to provide nuanced emphasis. By using "a core concern" effectively, you can direct readers' attention to the most critical aspects of your message, ensuring clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A principal concern

Replaces "core" with "principal", indicating a leading or primary concern.

A central focus

Shifts from a "concern" to a "focus", suggesting a point of concentration or attention.

A key priority

Replaces "concern" with "priority", emphasizing the importance of the issue relative to others.

A main consideration

Uses "consideration" instead of "concern", highlighting the need to think about something carefully.

A critical issue

Replaces "concern" with "issue", emphasizing the problem aspect and its importance.

A vital aspect

Highlights a necessary or essential element.

A fundamental element

Similar to "vital aspect", this focuses on the foundational nature of the concern.

A major preoccupation

Replaces "concern" with "preoccupation", suggesting something that someone thinks about frequently.

A primary interest

Indicates a subject of great attention or involvement.

A significant worry

Emphasizes the anxiety or unease associated with the concern.

FAQs

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

"A core concern" is used to highlight the most important issue or priority in a given situation. For example: "Data privacy is "a core concern" for many users of social media."

What are some alternatives to "a core concern"?

You can use alternatives such as "a principal concern", "a central focus", or "a key priority" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a core concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "a core concern" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate the most important issue. It is often found in academic, business and news contexts.

What makes something "a core concern"?

Something becomes "a core concern" when it is identified as fundamentally important and requires significant attention. It is an issue that directly affects key outcomes or values.