a pressing priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pressing priority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the urgency or importance of a particular task or issue that needs immediate attention. Example: "Addressing climate change is a pressing priority for our government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

An uprated camera may not be a pressing priority.

Independent

Mullah Omar's whereabouts remained an official "tasking" for intelligence collection after the fall of the Taliban, but he was no longer a pressing priority.

The New Yorker

Climate governance in Small Island developing States (SIDS) is a pressing priority to preserve livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystems for the next generations.

Environmental Science & Policy

Smit, a Dutch salvage company, has been hired to extract the ship's half million gallons of fuel, which has become a pressing priority to avoid an environmental disaster from the shipwreck.

The New York Times

But it has also drawn attention away from a pressing priority of the United States in Pakistan: engaging cooperation here to help negotiate a peace settlement with the Afghan Taliban as a major troop withdrawal slated for 2014 draws near.

The New York Times

Because it was the financial excesses of banks in Ireland, and now Spain, that forced their home countries to eventually seek bailouts, finding a Europewide solution to overseeing financial institutions has become a pressing priority for the euro zone's leadership.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He had been quiet until then, despite messages of support coming in from royalty around the world.For the authorities, one increasingly apparent danger is that the nuclear drama is distracting them from what should be an equally pressing priority.

The Economist

According to the argument, Obama was correct when he said during the campaign that placing a price on carbon in order to transform the economy and begin the process of halting climate change was his more pressing priority.

The New Yorker

So when managers are expected to juggle multiple responsibilities under intense time and work pressures, treating employees fairly may take a backseat to other pressing priorities.

Harvard Business Review

They are often expected to juggle multiple responsibilities under intense time and work pressures, and so treating employees fairly may take a backseat to other pressing priorities.

Harvard Business Review

In order to avert the same fate at the hands of rising economies in India and China, Mr. Obama would invest billions now to lay down high-speed rail lines, expand the wireless Internet and educate a new generation of entrepreneurs, to name a few of his most pressing priorities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pressing priority", ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. It is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts but may sound out of place in casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "a pressing priority" in very informal or casual settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "top concern" or "main focus" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pressing priority" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies something of immediate importance. Ludwig AI validates this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pressing priority" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the urgency and importance of a task or issue. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for formal to semi-formal writing where clear and impactful communication is essential. When considering alternatives, phrases like "an urgent necessity" or "a critical imperative" can be used depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an urgent necessity

Replaces "priority" with "necessity" emphasizing the need aspect and "pressing" with "urgent" for immediacy.

a critical imperative

Substitutes "pressing" and "priority" with more formal synonyms to increase emphasis on obligation.

a matter of urgency

Rephrases the expression to highlight the speed and immediacy required.

of utmost importance

Uses a different structure to convey the high level of significance.

a top concern

Replaces "priority" with "concern", making the phrase less formal and more conversational.

something that demands immediate attention

Elaborates on the original phrase, highlighting the need for prompt action.

a crucial task

Focuses on the work that needs to be done, replacing priority with a direct call to action.

an immediate obligation

Stresses the binding nature of the priority and the need for quick action.

a key focus

Emphasizes the importance of concentration on this particular priority.

a high-level task

Refers to the importance of the task based on the level of people who are in charge of that task.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pressing priority" to emphasize the importance of a particular task or issue. For example, "Addressing climate change is "a pressing priority" for our government".

What can I say instead of "a pressing priority"?

You can use alternatives like "an urgent necessity", "a critical imperative", or "a top concern" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a pressing priority"?

It is appropriate to use "a pressing priority" in formal contexts such as business reports, academic papers, or policy documents where you need to emphasize the urgency and importance of something.

Which is correct, "a pressing priority" or "an pressing priority"?

"A pressing priority" is the correct form. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.