a greater concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greater concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or problem that is more significant or pressing than others. Example: "While there are many issues to address, climate change remains a greater concern for our future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cost is a greater concern.

Stanford University

Mendoza is a greater concern.

The New York Times - Sports

A greater concern with the body beautiful brought a greater concern with personal health.

The Guardian

His letters suggest a greater concern for aesthetics.

Britannica

A greater concern, however, may be more straightforward.

The Economist

Though the term might sound dated, "middle-age spread" is a greater concern than ever.

Harvard University

A greater concern is the show's reckless depiction of suicide themes.

The New York Times

"Domestic political uncertainty is an issue for businesses but the global backdrop is a greater concern.

The Guardian

The timing of the announcement does suggest a greater concern is being paid to the politics.

The Guardian

"But in the grand scope of things, ethnic violence was a greater concern".

The New York Times

(Over in Red Hook, the lawn chairs are a greater concern).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a greater concern" to transition between discussing minor issues and introducing the more significant problem. This can help build anticipation and emphasize the severity of the latter.

Common error

Avoid using "a greater concern" without providing sufficient context. Without a clear point of reference, the audience may not understand the true magnitude or implications of the concern being expressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greater concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies and emphasizes the significance of a particular issue or worry, often in comparison to others, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a greater concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the significance of a particular issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English. It typically highlights an issue that requires more attention or is more worrying than others. Examples show its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using the phrase, it's helpful to provide context about the lesser concern for clear comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more significant worry

Emphasizes the increased level of worry.

a more pressing issue

Focuses on the urgency and need for immediate attention.

a heightened anxiety

Highlights the emotional aspect of the concern.

a primary preoccupation

Stresses the dominance of the concern in one's thoughts.

a chief apprehension

Indicates the main reason for fear or unease.

a foremost worry

Highlights that the worry is at the front of one's mind.

a substantial fear

Emphasizes the magnitude of the fear.

a leading reservation

Focuses on the main doubt or hesitation.

a critical issue

Points out that the issue is fundamental and important.

a key consideration

Highlights the importance of factoring it in when making decisions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a greater concern" to emphasize the importance of one issue over another. For example, "While project deadlines are important, employee well-being is "a greater concern"."

What can I say instead of "a greater concern"?

You can use alternatives like "a more pressing issue", "a primary preoccupation", or "a chief apprehension" depending on the context.

When should I use "a greater concern" over "a concern"?

Use "a greater concern" when you want to explicitly state that one issue is more important or worrying than another. If you are simply introducing a concern without comparing it to others, use "a concern".

Is it always necessary to specify what the "lesser concern" is when using "a greater concern"?

While not always strictly necessary, specifying the lesser concern provides context and clarifies the relative importance of the ""a greater concern"". This makes your communication more effective and prevents potential misunderstandings.