a fundamental concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or topic that is of primary importance or significance. Example: "Climate change is a fundamental concern for our generation, as it affects the future of our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Now there's a fundamental concern that wasn't there before," said David Scott, who lives in Midtown.

The New York Times

A fundamental concern of ethics is the effect of our actions on others.

The New York Times

Such machines consume oodles of power, so heat dissipation becomes a fundamental concern.

The Economist

But their objections also have to do with a fundamental concern: liberty is not something one can simply sneak around.

The New Yorker

This question of state government's recent origins, and, conversely, of its long failure to originate throughout most of human history, is a fundamental concern for social scientists.

The New Yorker

Yet the momentum for change stems from a fundamental concern about its business model: that it is fraught with conflicts of interest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

A more fundamental concern is that, in order to value a WELBY, preferences are being used and these have been criticised for being poor indicators of the way health impacts on a person's life.

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy

But a more fundamental concern yesterday was those two little words.

The New York Times

The Sports Personality controversy has also highlighted a more fundamental concern about the status of women's sport in society.

BBC

We must press the president-elect and his green team to subordinate the anti-carbon agenda to a timelier, fundamental concern.

Forbes

A more fundamental concern is that phylogeographic approaches have focused largely on the "phylo" part and less on the "geography" (Peterson 2009).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fundamental concern" when you want to emphasize the basic or essential nature of an issue. This phrase adds weight and significance to the topic you are discussing.

Common error

While "a fundamental concern" is a strong phrase, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your text sound repetitive. Instead, consider using synonyms like "a key consideration" or "a primary issue" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as being of primary importance or a basic issue requiring attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

26%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental concern" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that denotes an issue of primary importance. As verified by Ludwig AI, this phrase frequently appears in news, science, and formal business contexts, highlighting its versatility and broad applicability. Alternatives such as "a key consideration" or "a primary issue" can be used to vary your writing. When using this phrase, make sure to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Given its frequent use across varied authoritative sources, "a fundamental concern" remains a robust and appropriate choice for emphasizing the essential nature of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", suggesting a slightly more anxious or apprehensive feeling.

a key consideration

Substitutes "concern" with "consideration", focusing on the importance of the issue in decision-making.

a significant consideration

Similar to "a key consideration" but adds emphasis on the importance.

a central issue

Replaces "concern" with "issue", highlighting the core problem or topic at hand.

a chief priority

Substitutes "concern" with "priority", indicating that the matter is of utmost importance and must be dealt with first.

a major preoccupation

Uses "preoccupation" instead of "concern", implying a more dominant or obsessive focus.

a basic anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety", emphasizing the feeling of unease or worry.

an essential matter

Replaces "concern" with "matter", suggesting the importance of the topic.

a core problem

Substitutes "concern" with "problem", focusing on a difficulty that needs to be resolved.

a principal question

Uses "question" instead of "concern", focusing on an unanswered point to be addressed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a fundamental concern" in a sentence?

Use "a fundamental concern" to introduce an issue that is central or essential to the topic. For instance, "Data privacy is "a fundamental concern" in the digital age" highlights the critical importance of data privacy.

What are some alternatives to using "a fundamental concern"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary worry", "a key consideration", or "a central issue" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Each alternative slightly shifts the focus or intensity of the statement.

Is it better to say "a fundamental concern" or "an important concern"?

"A fundamental concern" emphasizes the foundational or essential nature of the issue, while "an important concern" simply highlights its significance. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the basic nature or general importance of the concern.

When is it appropriate to use "a fundamental concern" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "a fundamental concern" in formal writing when discussing issues of significant and foundational importance. This phrase adds weight and gravitas, making it suitable for academic papers, reports, and professional communications.