an ultimate concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ultimate concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a fundamental or primary issue that is of great importance to someone or something. Example: "For many people, climate change is an ultimate concern that drives their activism and lifestyle choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some, like Paul Tillich, held that there are certain "boundary experiences," such as having an ultimate concern or experiencing the unconditional character of moral obligation, that become intelligible only when understood as the presence of the holy in experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those who identify religion as a dimension or aspect of experience point to human attitudes toward an overarching ideal, to a total reaction to life, to an ultimate concern for the meaning of one's being, or to a quest for a power that integrates human personality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dan Arnold on "Ultimate Concerns" Dan Arnold, Associate Professor discuss an ultimate concern – about the brain and belief – in a new podcast series hosted by Ron Mourad (PhD'02), Professor and Chair of Religious Studies at Albion College.

University of Chicago

As a vital part of their practice, many of the world's faith traditions focus on inner transformation: a fundamental turning away from self-centered concerns toward an ultimate concern -- which many people, me included, identify as God.

Huffington Post

An ultimate concern of Eisenstadt was to build on classical themes of sociology and theories of social change to develop, with colleagues, an adequate sociological understanding of an evolving civilization of modernity.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It has to be an encounter with a moment of ultimate concern.

Huffington Post

As a manager, your ultimate concern is with their actions and results.

Harvard Business Review

But that's not all, "There is a third factor necessary to becoming a master in any art - the mastery of the art must be a matter of ultimate concern; there must be nothing else in the world more important than the art".

Huffington Post

He's an aimless wanderer whose ultimate concern seems to amount to projecting an aura of insouciance, a coolness toward his subjects it is hard for his readers not to catch.

The New York Times - Books

The early Christians were called atheists and the tradition in which I was trained taught me that one of the reasons to believe in God is that it saves you from having to believe in anything else! Everyone, as Paul Tillich taught us decades ago, owes an allegiance to some "Ultimate Concern" and freedom relies on that concern to be incapable of being manipulated.

HuffPost

In the latter sense, ultimate concern has an ontological as well as a phenomenological dimension.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ultimate concern" when you want to emphasize the fundamental importance of something to a person, group, or field of study. It conveys a sense of deep commitment and priority.

Common error

Avoid using "an ultimate concern" in casual contexts where a simpler phrase like "main worry" or "biggest priority" would suffice. Overusing it can make your language sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ultimate concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies what is considered to be of highest importance or fundamental value. Ludwig AI confirms that it can be used when discussing a primary issue of great importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ultimate concern" is a noun phrase used to describe something of the highest importance or fundamental value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently used in philosophical, theological, and academic discussions, as well as in news and media when discussing fundamental values or priorities. While grammatically sound, it's best to reserve its use for contexts where a sense of deep commitment and fundamental importance is intended, and to avoid overusing it in everyday conversation. Alternatives like "a paramount concern" or "a top priority" can be considered for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a paramount concern

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the concern.

a chief concern

Highlights the concern as the most important.

a primary focus

Shifts the emphasis to the main area of attention.

a central preoccupation

Indicates that the concern dominates one's thoughts.

a core value

Connects the concern to a fundamental belief or principle.

a top priority

Stresses that the concern is the most urgent.

a key objective

Presents the concern as a main goal to achieve.

a fundamental principle

Frames the concern as a basic rule or guideline.

a driving force

Suggests that the concern motivates action and decisions.

a ruling passion

Implies that the concern is an intense and overpowering emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "an ultimate concern" in a sentence?

You can use "an ultimate concern" to describe something of the highest importance to someone. For example, "The "ultimate concern" of the environmental group is protecting endangered species."

What are some alternatives to "an ultimate concern"?

Some alternatives include "a paramount concern", "a chief concern", or "a top priority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "an important concern" or "an ultimate concern"?

"An important concern" denotes something of significance, while "an ultimate concern" signifies something of the highest importance. Use "an ultimate concern" when you want to emphasize the fundamental and overriding nature of the concern.

In what contexts is "an ultimate concern" most frequently used?

The phrase "an ultimate concern" is often used in philosophical, theological, and academic discussions, as well as in news and media when discussing fundamental values or priorities. Examples include the works of Paul Tillich, who explored the concept, and discussions of societal or personal values.