a subordinate concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a subordinate concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an issue or matter that is of lesser importance compared to other issues being discussed. Example: "While the budget is tight, the need for new equipment is a subordinate concern compared to ensuring employee safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If its main purpose is to run a global sports event, the suspicion will always be that policing the sports themselves is a subordinate concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A schism has developed in the Naturist Society involving some 100 male & female feminist members, who are angry over what they see as a Naturist Society policy of subordinating concerns about women's rights (especially as pertains to the 14th Amendment) to the fight for nude beaches.

The New Yorker

Will Lay's "I can't recall" defense be hammered, and will he be cornered into admitting knowledge of his subordinates' concerns about Enron's finances?

Forbes

Concerns about suicide risk statistically play a subordinate role, presumably because the risk is much smaller than the risk of relapse.

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

As the government now considered applied or 'near market' research as the responsibility of industry rather than government departments, there was also concern that national needs had grown to play a subordinate role in the public research agenda [ 25].

Health Research Policy and Systems

This language was seen as trying to satisfy Mr. Annan's concerns about sending United Nations personnel to play a subordinate role in a violent, unstable Baghdad.

The New York Times

These examples demonstrate the chaotic results of recognizing a First Amendment right for a subordinate to speak in his or her official capacity on matters of public concern.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Whelan's view--that, alone among the branches, only the judiciary's concurrence concerning constitutionality is unnecessary for legislation to be valid--would render the judiciary a subordinate rather than a coordinate branch.

Huffington Post

"Judges play a subordinate role — necessary yes, but subordinate nonetheless.

The New York Times

Women are in a subordinate position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You talk of a subordinate.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the difference in significance, clearly state what the main concern is when using "a subordinate concern". For instance, "While budget constraints are important, employee well-being remains a subordinate concern".

Common error

Avoid using "a subordinate concern" if the issue is actually critical. This can mislead your audience into thinking you don't value what may be a significant problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a subordinate concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an issue, problem, or consideration that is of lesser importance or priority compared to other, more significant matters. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a subordinate concern" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English that identifies a matter of secondary importance. It is used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, to indicate a lower priority relative to other issues. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly distinguishes the primary concern from the secondary one to avoid misinterpretations. While not exceedingly common, it offers a precise way to convey relative importance in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a secondary consideration

Replaces "concern" with "consideration", implying a thought or factor taken into account, but not of primary importance.

a lesser priority

Emphasizes the lower importance of the concern in terms of ranking or scheduling.

a minor worry

Downplays the significance of the concern, portraying it as something not very serious.

a peripheral issue

Suggests the concern is not central or essential to the main topic.

a tangential matter

Indicates the concern is only loosely related or indirectly connected to the main subject.

a lower-level anxiety

Implies a reduced degree of worry or apprehension.

a background preoccupation

Suggests the concern is present but not at the forefront of attention.

an incidental problem

Indicates the concern arises as a side effect or consequence of something else.

a side issue

Simple substitution of "concern" with issue, making it slightly informal.

a marginal preoccupation

Emphasizes the limited extent to which the concern occupies one's thoughts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a subordinate concern" to indicate that something is less important than something else, as in, "While the budget is tight, the need for new equipment is "a subordinate concern" compared to ensuring employee safety".

What are some alternatives to "a subordinate concern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a secondary consideration", "a lesser priority", or "a minor worry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a subordinate concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "a subordinate concern" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to indicate that an issue is of secondary importance.

What's the difference between "a subordinate concern" and "a primary concern"?

"A subordinate concern" is something of lesser importance, while "a primary concern" is the main or most important issue. For example, "Efficiency is a primary concern, while aesthetics are "a subordinate concern"".