an immediate concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an immediate concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or problem that requires urgent attention or action. Example: "The rising costs of living have become an immediate concern for many families struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's obvious, it's an immediate concern.

Yale University

Making a profit, he said, is not an immediate concern.

The New York Times

Looting was an immediate concern, while violence continued for the duration of the war.

The New York Times

The Nets have an immediate concern this summer: keeping Kidd from going to San Antonio.

The New York Times - Sports

While economists emphasized the need to remain vigilant about prices, they agreed that inflation was not an immediate concern.

The New York Times

"The revenue issues with health and education over the commonwealth's forward estimates are an immediate concern," he wrote.

The Guardian

MR. MILLS said the lawlessness that has been on view in several Iraqi cities was an immediate concern.

The New York Times

Many people assume that if they are married or in a civil partnership, IHT isn't an immediate concern.

The Guardian - Money

"If the town hasn't been approached through its Prison Safety Committee, it's not an immediate concern," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A more immediate concern for an individual business is that it potentially faces severe legal sanction under the FCPA or the UK Bribery Act.

Forbes

But a more immediate concern, and a more pertinent source of criticism, is the form shown by Britain's current senior sprinters since Van Commenee took charge.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an immediate concern", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the concern is pressing and what potential consequences might arise if it's not addressed promptly.

Common error

Avoid using "an immediate concern" too frequently in your writing. Instead, vary your language by employing synonyms like "a pressing issue" or "an urgent matter" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immediate concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies something as requiring prompt attention. Ludwig examples show its role in signaling the urgency of various issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an immediate concern" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the urgency of a problem or issue. As indicated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While its meaning is consistent and its usage is straightforward, it's important to use varied language and synonyms like "a pressing issue" or "an urgent matter" to avoid redundancy. The phrase signals that prompt attention is required, highlighting potential consequences if the concern is not addressed in a timely manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pressing issue

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the issue.

an urgent matter

Highlights the need for quick action and resolution.

a top priority

Focuses on the ranking of importance and required attention.

a critical problem

Stresses the severity and potential consequences of the issue.

a matter of urgency

Similar to "an urgent matter" but with a slightly more formal tone.

a primary worry

Highlights the anxiety and concern associated with the issue.

a burning question

Implies a question that demands an immediate answer or solution.

a serious challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and complexity of the situation.

an acute crisis

Emphasizes the sudden and severe nature of the problem.

a time-sensitive issue

Highlights the importance of addressing the issue within a specific timeframe.

FAQs

How to use "an immediate concern" in a sentence?

You can use "an immediate concern" to highlight a problem or issue that requires urgent attention. For example, "The lack of funding is "an immediate concern" for the research team."

What can I say instead of "an immediate concern"?

You can use alternatives like "a pressing issue", "an urgent matter", or "a top priority" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an immediate concern" or "a immediate concern"?

"An immediate concern" is correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an immediate concern" and "an overriding concern"?

"An immediate concern" suggests something needs attention right now. "An overriding concern" implies something is more important than everything else.