a secondary concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a secondary concern" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not the main or primary focus of a situation, but is still important. Example sentence: While the quality of the product was a primary concern for the company, the environmental impact was also addressed as a secondary concern.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a secondary concern.

Independent

Sightseeing is a secondary concern.

The Economist

But Esther's milieu is a secondary concern.

The New York Times

They are explorable but only as a secondary concern.

The Guardian - Tech

But literature, to him, was a secondary concern.

The New Yorker

In today's panic, perhaps, that is a secondary concern.

The Economist

For Mr. Yerushalmi, the statutes themselves are a secondary concern.

The New York Times

But for him, exciting the media was very much a secondary concern.

The Guardian

He creates pieces in which music seems at best a secondary concern.

The New York Times - Arts

Oh, sure, I worry about the income of artists, too, but that's a secondary concern.

The Guardian - Tech

Communication can sometimes seem like a secondary concern in the adamantine ranks of jazz's avant-garde.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a secondary concern", ensure the primary concern is clearly identified to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "While profitability is our primary goal, employee well-being remains a secondary concern."

Common error

Avoid treating a secondary concern as if it were non-essential. While it's not the top priority, it still warrants attention and resources. Overlooking it can lead to negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object. It identifies something that is not the primary focus but is still worthy of consideration, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a secondary concern" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something is of lesser importance compared to a primary issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While it's not the top priority, it still warrants attention. When using this phrase, make sure the primary concern is clearly defined to prevent any confusion. Alternatives like "a lesser priority" or "of secondary importance" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Avoiding the pitfall of overlooking what constitutes "a secondary concern" will aid in making informed and well-rounded judgments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of secondary importance

Rephrases the query using a prepositional phrase to express reduced importance.

not the main focus

States directly that something lacks the central importance.

a lesser priority

Highlights the ranking of importance.

a subordinate issue

Emphasizes a hierarchical relationship where the issue is dependent or less important.

a lower concern

Similar to "lesser priority", but uses "concern" to emphasize worry.

a minor worry

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety that is less impactful.

a peripheral matter

Indicates that the matter is on the edge of the main focus.

a side issue

Indicates a diversion from the main topic.

an incidental detail

Suggests the detail is not essential or planned.

a trivial matter

Highlights the lack of importance of the issue.

FAQs

How to use "a secondary concern" in a sentence?

Use "a secondary concern" to indicate something of lesser importance relative to a primary issue. For example, "While the cost is a primary factor, the environmental impact is "a secondary concern"."

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

You can use alternatives like "a minor worry", "a lesser priority", or "of secondary importance" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a secondary concern" or "the secondary concern"?

"A secondary concern" is used when referring to one among several concerns, while "the secondary concern" implies it is the specific second-most important concern in a given context.

What's the difference between "a secondary concern" and "a trivial matter"?

"A secondary concern" suggests something is less important but still relevant. "A trivial matter" implies something is insignificant or not worth considering.