a major concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"a major concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a problem or issue that is of great importance. For example, "Global warming is a major concern for people all over the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A major concern is crime.

The Economist

Mold is a major concern.

The New Yorker

Tuition costs are a major concern.

The New York Times

Inflation has become a major concern.

The New York Times

These, alas, will remain a major concern.

The Economist

Crime is also a major concern.

The New York Times

That is a major concern?

The Guardian

Volatility is a major concern.

The New York Times

Breadsticks were a major concern.

The Guardian - Business

That remains a major concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Housing is a major concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major concern", ensure the context clearly establishes what the concern relates to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Climate change is a major concern", specify "The increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change is a major concern".

Common error

While "a major concern" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a significant worry" or "a serious issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies something that is regarded as significantly worrying or important. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major concern" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase to highlight issues of significant worry or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives exist, ensure clarity and avoid overuse to maintain writing effectiveness. Remember, being specific about the concern enhances communication. This phrase serves to signal the need for attention and action, making it a crucial element in persuasive and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "major" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the issue.

a serious issue

Substitutes "concern" with "issue" and "major" with "serious", highlighting the gravity of the matter.

a primary apprehension

Replaces "concern" with "apprehension" and "major" with "primary", focusing on the feeling of unease about something.

a leading anxiety

Substitutes "concern" with "anxiety" and "major" with "leading", emphasizing the prominence of the worry.

a foremost preoccupation

Replaces "concern" with "preoccupation" and "major" with "foremost", highlighting that something occupies one's thoughts.

a critical problem

Substitutes "concern" with "problem" and "major" with "critical", pinpointing the importance of the problem.

a pressing matter

Replaces "concern" with "matter" and "major" with "pressing", calling for immediate attention.

a substantial challenge

Substitutes "concern" with "challenge" and "major" with "substantial", signaling the importance and size of the challenge.

a grave fear

Replaces "concern" with "fear" and "major" with "grave", signaling alarm and worry.

a significant challenge

Replaces "concern" with "challenge" and "major" with "significant", emphasizing the notable importance of the challenge.

FAQs

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

Use "a major concern" to highlight something that causes significant worry or has important implications. For example: "Data privacy is "a major concern" for social media users."

What are some alternatives to saying "a major concern"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant worry", "a serious issue", or "a primary apprehension" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "major concern" or "significant concern"?

Both "major concern" and "significant concern" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a major concern" and "a minor concern"?

"A major concern" indicates a serious issue with significant impact, while "a minor concern" refers to a less important or less impactful issue.