a top priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a top priority" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is very important. For example: "Making sure everyone in my family is healthy and safe is a top priority in my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Marriage is a top priority".

The New York Times

Homicides are a top priority.

The New Yorker

Safety is a top priority, she said.

The New York Times

He has made reform a top priority.

The Economist

That should be a top priority.

The Economist

"This remains a top priority for us".

The New York Times

Penicillin wasn't a top priority.

The Guardian

Safety is a top priority.

Harvard Business Review

"She's obviously a top priority," Miller said.

The New York Times - Sports

Is this a top priority?" Bennett asked.

The Guardian

Republicans said education was a top priority.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. While "a top priority" is a common phrase, consider using synonyms like "key objective" or "primary focus" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "a top priority" without providing any supporting information or justification. Explain why it holds such importance to give the statement more weight and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a top priority" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate nominative or object complement within a sentence. It identifies something of great importance. Ludwig shows numerous examples across different contexts where it highlights what someone or some organization considers most crucial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a top priority" is a commonly used phrase to indicate something of great importance or urgency. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. It frequently appears in news and media, academic, scientific and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide context, clearly stating who considers it a top priority and why. While effective, explore synonyms like "a key objective" or "primary focus" to enrich your writing. Remember, avoid simply stating that something is "a top priority" without justification to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key objective

Replaces 'priority' with 'objective', focusing on the goal to be achieved.

a primary focus

Replaces 'priority' with 'focus', highlighting the main area of attention.

a central concern

Substitutes 'priority' with 'concern', emphasizing the importance of the issue being addressed.

of utmost importance

Uses a more formal tone to express the high level of significance.

number one goal

Replaces 'priority' with 'goal', making the phrase more specific to aim for.

a critical task

Emphasizes the necessity of the task, framing it as essential.

paramount concern

Uses a more emphatic word, 'paramount', to elevate the issue's significance.

an urgent matter

Conveys the pressing nature of the issue, rather than its ranking.

high on the agenda

Suggests that something is scheduled or planned to be dealt with imminently.

at the forefront

Indicates that something is given prominent attention and action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a top priority" to emphasize the importance of a task, goal, or concern. For example: "Customer satisfaction is "a top priority" for our company".

What are some alternatives to saying "a top priority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a key objective", "a primary focus", or "of utmost importance".

Is it correct to say "the top priority" instead of "a top priority"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A top priority" implies one of several high-ranking priorities, while "the top priority" suggests there is only one thing that matters most.

How do I make it clear who is assigning "a top priority"?

Specify the actor giving the priority. Instead of saying "Safety is "a top priority"", state, "The Highways Agency spokesperson said safety is "a top priority"" to add clarity.