a dominant concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dominant concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a primary or significant issue that is of great importance or priority in a particular context. Example: "Climate change has become a dominant concern for governments and organizations worldwide as they seek sustainable solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Headlines about schools where every child spoke English as a second language fuelled rising anxiety about immigration, which became a dominant concern for voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Markets work best when investors are thinking for themselves, and tend to go awry when the obsession with what everyone else is doing becomes a dominant concern.

The New Yorker

PASSPORT controls are tighter than they once were, and of course, border security is a dominant concern in the post-9/11 era.

The New York Times

Fear of further unrest as the Communist Party prepares to select a new generation of leaders is a dominant concern in Beijing.

The New York Times

With her official declaration for the United States Senate behind her, Hillary Rodham Clinton flew into a region of New York today that is likely to be a prime battleground in the race this fall, turning her attention to what has long been a dominant concern among voters here: the region's long-suffering economy.

The New York Times

In the 13th century the development of law became a dominant concern, as is shown by the great treatise On the Laws and Customs of England, attributed to the royal judge Bracton but probably put together in the 1220s and '30s under one of his predecessors on the King's Bench.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Patient's smoking habits in general were an especially dominant concern for the physicians, not merely as a simple lifestyle issue.

BMJ Open

One answer, which recent books like Frances Stonor Saunders's "The Cultural Cold War" (1999) give a good deal of evidence for, is that the promotion of intellectuals was a Cold War priority in the nineteen-fifties, when a dominant strategic concern was the fear of losing Western Europe to Communism.

The New Yorker

The scientist seeks to understand the physical and chemical transformations brought about by oxidation, whereas the changes in behaviour specific to a given technological processes is the dominant concern of industry.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Republican opposition to the debt ceiling was always a protest against the communicative property of addition; Mr McConnell's proposal allows them to continue this protest, and have Mr Obama take responsibility for sighing and ignoring it.The larger theme is that in an era of populist politics, the struggle to evade responsibility becomes a dominant political concern.

The Economist

Indeed, within the current scoping review, social vulnerability and economic disadvantage emerged as a dominant ethical concern.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs or adjectives to replace "dominant concern" if you want to create impact or drama to your writting.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "a dominant concern" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "major issue", "primary focus", or "main preoccupation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dominant concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a primary or principal source of worry or attention. It highlights something that is uppermost in someone's mind or has significant importance. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dominant concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight a primary worry or focus. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While found across various contexts, it's particularly suited for neutral and formal writing. To avoid repetition, consider synonyms such as "major anxiety" or "principal focus". The phrase's frequency is uncommon, indicating it's not overused but still recognizable in professional communication. To conclude: ensure the context is clear about what is being prioritized; vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement, and consider adjusting to more stronger alternatives in order to create impact to your writting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary worry

Replaces "dominant concern" with more common synonyms while maintaining the core meaning of a significant worry.

a leading preoccupation

Substitutes "concern" with "preoccupation" and "dominant" with "leading", highlighting the absorbing nature of the issue.

a major anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "dominant" with "major", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the issue.

a significant issue

Uses more general terms to describe the concern, suitable for broader contexts.

a paramount consideration

Replaces "concern" with "consideration" and "dominant" with "paramount", stressing its high priority.

a principal focus

Highlights the main area of attention or concentration.

the main preoccupation

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of something constantly occupying someone's thoughts.

the overriding issue

Emphasizes the importance and power of the issue over others.

the biggest fear

Focuses on the element of fear associated with the dominant concern.

a key priority

Emphasizes the importance of the concern as something needing immediate attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a dominant concern" to describe something that is a primary or significant issue. For example, "The economy is "a dominant concern" for many voters."

What are some alternatives to "a dominant concern"?

Some alternatives include "a primary worry", "a leading preoccupation", or "a significant issue".

Is it better to use "dominant concern" or "major concern"?

Both "dominant concern" and "major concern" are acceptable. "Dominant concern" suggests it's the most important, while "major concern" simply indicates it's very important. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "a dominant concern" most appropriate?

"A dominant concern" is appropriate in formal and neutral contexts, like news articles, academic papers, or business reports, where you need to emphasize the primary focus or worry. Consider the tone of your writing before implementing it.