a significant preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a concern or issue that occupies a considerable amount of thought or attention. Example: "Climate change has become a significant preoccupation for governments around the world as they seek to implement effective policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That is a significant preoccupation".

BBC

A significant preoccupation for the drivetrain engineers is the clonk phenomenon.

Tribology and Dynamics of Engine and Powertrain Fundamentals, Applications and Future Trends

This jockeying and marketing strategy becomes a significant preoccupation.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Patients' willingness to take a new prescribed medication is an important preoccupation for medical professionals.

NPG Neurologie - Psychiatrie - Gériatrie

Clinically significant preoccupations would include thoughts of suicide, homicidal thoughts, suspicious or fearful beliefs associated with certain personality disorders, depressive beliefs (for example that one is unloved or a failure), or the cognitive distortions of anxiety and depression.

Wikipedia

For a president who has sought to refocus American foreign policy on Asia, it was a significant concession that the Middle East is likely to remain a major preoccupation for the rest of his term, if not that of his successor.

The New York Times

Analysis of the eight anxious preoccupation items revealed misfit to the Rasch model expectations, as indicated by a significant item-trait interaction chi-square probability value (p <.001) and a high item fit residual SD (SD=2.61) (Analysis 1 Table 2).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Responses of patients about the interview (Table 5) showed a significant training effect: patients perceived an improvement of HCP skills related to 'clarification of the preoccupations' (P⩽0.05) and 'information and support' (P⩽0.01).

British Journal of Cancer

There is a significant difference between sports for the dieting subscale (p < 0.05) and the oral control subscale (p < 0.01) but not for the bulimia or the food preoccupation subscale (p = 0.47).

BMC Public Health

Already his representations reveal a realistic individualism and an intense preoccupation with significant composition and form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Acne is one of the most common concerns of patients with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a psychiatric condition defined as a preoccupation with a slight or imagined defect in appearance that causes significant disruption in daily functioning.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant preoccupation" when you want to emphasize that something is not just a passing thought, but a genuine concern that occupies someone's mind or efforts.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant preoccupation" too frequently in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "major concern" or "primary focus" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a particular issue, concern, or interest that is notably important or frequently considered. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant preoccupation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that occupies considerable thought or attention. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not the most frequent expression, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, often within News & Media and Science contexts. Consider related phrases like "a major concern" or "primary focus" to avoid repetition and tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major concern

Emphasizes the level of worry or importance attached to something.

a primary focus

Highlights the central point of attention or activity.

a key interest

Indicates a notable area of curiosity or engagement.

a central concern

Stresses the fundamental nature of the worry or issue.

a dominant theme

Suggests a recurring or overarching subject of discussion or consideration.

a prevailing interest

Highlights the popularity or widespread nature of the interest.

a noteworthy obsession

Implies an intense and perhaps excessive focus on something.

an absorbing interest

Focuses on how the interest captures one's attention and time.

a substantial worry

Indicates that a considerable amount of anxiety is centered on the problem.

a pressing matter

Highlights the urgency and importance of an issue needing resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "a significant preoccupation" to describe something that someone thinks or worries about frequently and considerably. For instance, "Data security has become "a significant preoccupation" for many companies".

What are some alternatives to "a significant preoccupation"?

Alternatives to "a significant preoccupation" include "a major concern", "a primary focus", or "a key interest" depending on the context. These alternatives offer similar meanings while varying your vocabulary.

Is it correct to say "an significant preoccupation" instead of "a significant preoccupation"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct usage is "a significant preoccupation" because the word "significant" begins with a consonant sound, requiring the indefinite article "a" rather than "an".

What's the difference between "a significant preoccupation" and "a minor preoccupation"?

"A significant preoccupation" suggests something is an important and frequent concern, whereas "a minor preoccupation" implies the concern is small and less frequent.