an ongoing preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a persistent concern or thought that occupies someone's mind over a period of time. Example: "Her ongoing preoccupation with climate change drives her to volunteer for environmental organizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The length of my hair is an ongoing preoccupation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The indelible connection between grief and joy — an ongoing preoccupation of Springsteen's — lies behind every one of the songs, including those written before the attacks.

The New Yorker

Since Tim Spall had agreed to be in it by then and he's not what one would call svelte... [Laughter]... it pointed me in the direction where my imagination could get going with things that are an ongoing preoccupation.

The Guardian - Film

But a week before her death, Mayer wrote an essay, published posthumously online in Tablet Magazine and other outlets, which revealed an ongoing preoccupation with the community from which she had come, and the difficulties she had faced in leaving it.

The New Yorker

Ansari has an ongoing preoccupation with "douchebag bro culture", and the jocks he says got "an unfair advantage" when he was growing up because texting and social media didn't exist to show potential girlfriends how witty and smart you could be.

The Guardian

A couple of themes emerge from this 2014 fintech cohort, including ideas targeting the real estate vertical — unsurprising given that housing, and house prices, is an ongoing preoccupation for anyone living in London.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And given that the U.S. 'pivot to Asia' looks less and less robust by the month (given its ongoing preoccupation with the Middle East), the PRC has achieved a new level of confidence in its own abilities and ambitions in the region.

Huffington Post

Cavaliere died in 2012 from ovarian cancer, the same type that killed her mother three years earlier, and her ongoing preoccupation with grief made it all the more poignant.

The Guardian - Arts

Similarly, Barnes's ongoing preoccupation with the unreliability of history is muted: we know that Shostakovich was forced to parrot the party line, but there is little doubt about his true views on the regime.

Independent

The widespread emphasis on outputs of marine conservation efforts is illustrated in the ongoing preoccupation with one of the internationally endorsed Aichi targets (Target 11, 10% of marine and coastal areas under protection).

F1000Research

One of Pierre's ongoing preoccupations is drawing cartoons, an ideal background for the creator of the foulmouthed but subtle-minded Vernon, whose vision of the adult world that surrounds him is savagely satiric: "This is how I'm being grown up, this is my fucken struggle for learnings and glory.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ongoing preoccupation" to clearly indicate a subject or concern that someone thinks about frequently over a period of time. Make sure the context supports the idea of continuity and not just a one-time instance.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing preoccupation" when describing a passing interest or fleeting thought. This phrase implies a deeper, more sustained level of engagement or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, illustrating its role in describing persistent concerns or interests as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing preoccupation" is a noun phrase used to describe something someone thinks about or is concerned with frequently over time. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for diverse contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media sources. While the phrase is neither highly formal nor overly informal, its correct usage hinges on conveying continuity and significance, rather than a fleeting interest. Alternatives such as ""continuing concern"" or ""sustained focus"" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing concern

Replaces "preoccupation" with "concern", emphasizing worry or interest.

a persistent interest

Substitutes "preoccupation" with "interest", highlighting a continuous focus.

a sustained focus

Replaces both "ongoing" and "preoccupation" to emphasize duration and attention.

a recurring thought

Changes the focus to the mental aspect, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the thought.

a constant worry

Highlights the anxiety aspect, changing "preoccupation" to a state of unease.

a lasting fixation

Emphasizes the intensity and duration of the interest, using "fixation" to suggest a strong focus.

a chronic obsession

Uses "obsession" to suggest a more intense and potentially unhealthy focus.

a perennial issue

Shifts the focus to the problem itself, rather than the mental state of the person concerned.

a prevailing theme

Highlights the theme or subject that is constantly present or dominant.

a standing problem

Focuses on the enduring nature of the difficulty or challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing preoccupation" to describe something someone thinks about or deals with frequently. For example: "Her "ongoing preoccupation" with healthy eating influences all her meal choices."

What can I say instead of "an ongoing preoccupation"?

You can use alternatives like "continuing concern", "persistent interest", or "sustained focus" depending on the context.

Is "an ongoing preoccupation" formal or informal?

"An ongoing preoccupation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its impact may vary. In more formal settings, it suggests a significant and sustained focus, whereas in informal settings, it describes a frequent thought or activity.

What's the difference between "an ongoing preoccupation" and "a passing interest"?

"An ongoing preoccupation" implies a long-term, significant concern, whereas "a passing interest" suggests a brief and superficial engagement. The former has depth and continuity, while the latter lacks it.