a top concern for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a top concern for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or priorities that are of significant importance to someone or a group. Example: "Environmental sustainability is a top concern for many businesses today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

But according to exit polls, the economy was a top concern for Illinois voters.

The New York Times

Basic safety is a top concern for women in public spaces across the world.

The Guardian

Refugee agency officials in Washington and Geneva said the Syrian conflict remained a top concern for the organization.

The New York Times

But in Iowa and South Carolina, two of the three most important early states, it is a top concern for the Republicans who are most likely to vote.

The New Yorker

"They are very much aware of the hot topics," Mr. Kouakou said, noting that tuition increases were a top concern for many students.

The New York Times

As the Republican and Democratic parties rush to respond to polls that show education is a top concern for voters, the distinctions between their positions are fading.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

For example, a top concern of investors was that mortgage deals be underpinned by a variety of loans.

The New York Times

Economic inequality was a top concern, accounting for 11% of all of the responses we received.

The Guardian

At the same time, employee safety is also a top concern, such as for car sharing drivers working for a car-sharing provider.

Huffington Post

Customer security and privacy is a top concern and priority for Dell; we deeply regret that this has happened and are taking steps to address it.

The Guardian - Tech

"Invoca has built a platform that addresses the top concern for enterprise CMOs today — delivering personalized customer experiences across devices and channels," said Jamey Sperans, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners' Managing Director, in a statement.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a top concern for", clearly identify who holds this concern. For example, specify "a top concern for parents" instead of just "a top concern" to provide context.

Common error

While "a top concern for" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "a primary focus" or "a key priority" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a top concern for" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as a significant worry or priority for a particular person or group. It is used to express what is considered most important, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a top concern for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is a significant worry or priority for a particular individual or group. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and business, with the primary function of emphasizing the importance of an issue. While versatile, remember to vary your language to avoid repetition and always specify who holds the concern for clarity. Alternatives include "a primary concern for" and "a key priority for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary concern for

Replaces "top" with "primary", indicating a high level of importance but not necessarily the highest.

a major worry for

Substitutes "concern" with "worry", emphasizing the anxiety aspect of the issue.

a key priority for

Replaces "concern" with "priority", shifting the focus to what needs to be addressed first.

of utmost importance to

Uses a more formal structure to convey the high level of significance.

a leading issue for

Replaces "concern" with "issue", framing it as a problem or matter to be discussed.

a pressing matter for

Emphasizes the urgency and immediacy of the concern.

a significant consideration for

Highlights the importance of the concern in decision-making.

high on the list for

More informal way to express that something is among the most important concerns.

a central preoccupation for

Emphasizes that the matter consumes attention and thought.

something that matters greatly to

Phrases emphasizes the level of importance by using "matters greatly".

FAQs

How can I use "a top concern for" in a sentence?

Use "a top concern for" to highlight something of high importance to a specific group. For instance, "Data privacy is "a top concern for" many internet users" shows their prioritization of data privacy.

What are some alternatives to "a top concern for"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary concern for", "a major priority for", or "a key issue for" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a top concern of" instead of "a top concern for"?

While both phrases can be grammatically correct, ""a top concern for"" is generally used to indicate who holds the concern, whereas "a top concern of" is used to specify what the concern is. For example, "a top concern for voters" vs. "a top concern of the election".

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

"A top concern" implies the highest level of importance, while "a primary concern" indicates a high level of importance but not necessarily the highest. "Primary" suggests something is fundamental or initial, but not always the most critical.