a major priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major priority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very important in comparison to other activities or goals. For example: "Improving public transportation is a major priority for local government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her career was a major priority.

The New York Times - Arts

"And it should be a major priority".

The New York Times

"This is a major priority for us," he says.

The New York Times

"Child care is a major priority for the county executive.

The New York Times

"This is a major priority for the president".

The Guardian

"Conservation and heritage is a major priority," he insists.

The Guardian

They say the government has made it a major priority.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet this has not been a major priority.

The New York Times

While 90% say learning and teaching is a major priority, only 53% say it is a major priority for their institution.

The Guardian

"This will be a major priority of the administration, and I can assure you it will therefore be a major priority of the State Department".

The New York Times

"We're delighted it has been a major priority of John Kerry".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prioritize clarity when using the phrase. While impactful, overusing it can dilute its effect. Reserve "a major priority" for truly critical items to maintain its potency.

Common error

Avoid using "a major priority" for routine tasks or items of minor importance. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Save it for genuinely critical issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major priority" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a predicate nominative or object complement. It identifies something as being of great importance, acting as a subject complement that renames or describes the subject. As Ludwig AI points out, its consistent use across reputable sources confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Unknown

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major priority" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to emphasize the importance of a task, goal, or issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various reputable sources, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and context to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "a key priority" or "a top priority" can be used to provide slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase to prevent diluting its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key priority

Replaces "major" with "key", emphasizing the essential nature of the priority.

a top priority

Replaces "major" with "top", indicating it's at the highest level of importance.

a high priority

Substitutes "major" with "high", keeping the meaning of significant importance.

a primary concern

Changes "priority" to "concern", focusing on something that needs immediate attention and care.

an important focus

Shifts from "priority" to "focus", highlighting where attention and resources should be directed.

a central objective

Replaces "priority" with "objective", emphasizing the goal-oriented nature of the item.

a critical task

Changes the phrase to emphasize the urgency and necessity of a specific task.

a significant goal

Focuses on the importance of achieving a particular goal.

a pressing issue

Highlights the urgency and immediate relevance of the matter.

a foremost responsibility

Emphasizes the duty and obligation associated with the priority.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major priority" to emphasize the importance of a task, goal, or issue. For example, "Ensuring patient safety is "a major priority" for the hospital administration".

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

Alternatives include "a key priority", "a top priority", or "a high priority", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "highest priority" when "a major priority" already implies high importance?

While "highest priority" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can be seen as slightly redundant. "A major priority" already implies significant importance, so using "highest" might be seen as overemphasizing the point. Consider alternatives such as "a key priority" or "a top priority".

What's the difference between "a major priority" and "an important task"?

"A major priority" implies a higher level of importance and urgency compared to "an important task". A task might be important, but a priority demands immediate attention and resources. Prioritizing tasks involves identifying which are "a major priority".