as a top concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a top concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance or priority of a particular issue or topic in a discussion or report. Example: "In our recent survey, climate change emerged as a top concern among respondents, highlighting the need for immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But companies gave lower expectations for future investment and cited rising labor costs as a top concern.

The New York Times

Most of all, there were uncertainties about deployment: 40percentt of soldiers rated uncertain redeployment dates as a top concern.

The New York Times

Illegal immigration scarcely registers as a top concern in polls of Republican voters, and candidates rarely bring it up in their stump speeches.

The New York Times

She also proposed stiffer penalties for political corruption, which has emerged as a top concern among protesters, and increasing the pay of teachers.

The New York Times

The sharp increase in gasoline prices — the national average for a gallon of regular hit a record high, of $4.11, on July 7th — has shown up in several recent voter polls as a top concern.

The New Yorker

The British are more likely to describe immigration as a top concern than any other European nation, and they are quicker than people in most rich countries to call immigration a problem rather than an opportunity.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But Ms. Rice was utterly unconvincing when she tried to portray Al Qaeda as anything approaching a top concern for the White House.

The New York Times

Of about two dozen people interviewed here in late December and early January, nearly all said energy policy was a top concern as they looked to the presidential primary on Tuesday.

The New York Times

"Air quality and the environmental impact, as you might imagine, are a top concern to us and we are monitoring the situation very closely," the mayor said at a news conference last night.

The New York Times

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

"If you look at all the surveys, corruption is always ranked as a top public concern," Professor Fu said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a top concern" when you want to clearly signal that a particular issue is of high priority and demands significant attention. This phrasing is effective in reports, discussions, and presentations to emphasize the importance of a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "as a top concern" repeatedly in the same document or presentation. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "a major priority" or "of utmost importance" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a top concern" functions as a predicate nominative or appositive phrase that identifies a subject as being of utmost importance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It highlights the significance of an issue, similar to being a "major priority".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a top concern" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the high priority of an issue. It's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While effective, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain writing quality. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is a strong way to highlight the significance of a topic, signaling the need for immediate attention or action. Consider alternatives like "of utmost importance" or "a major priority" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of utmost importance

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something, similar to being a top concern.

high on the list of priorities

Indicates something is ranked among the most important things to address.

a major priority

Highlights the significant importance of something.

a key focus area

Suggests that something is a central point of attention and effort.

a pressing issue

Indicates the urgency and importance of addressing something.

a primary focus

Highlights that something is among the main elements receiving attention.

a leading concern

Implies something is at the forefront of worries or considerations.

paramount importance

Emphasizes that something is of the highest significance.

principal worry

Highlights the main cause of anxiety or concern.

chief preoccupation

Indicates something is the main thing occupying one's thoughts.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a top concern" to emphasize the high priority of an issue. For example, "Climate change is increasingly viewed "as a top concern" among voters."

What are some alternatives to saying "as a top concern"?

Alternatives include "a major priority", "of utmost importance", or "a key focus area" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between saying "as a top concern" and "as a primary concern"?

While similar, "as a top concern" suggests a higher level of urgency or importance compared to "as a primary concern". Both indicate significance, but "top" implies the highest level of priority. You can also consider "as a leading concern".

When is it appropriate to use "as a top concern" in formal writing?

"As a top concern" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly and directly communicate the high priority of a specific issue or topic. It's suitable for reports, proposals, and official communications where clarity and emphasis are essential.