be of most concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of most concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or topics that are particularly troubling or significant. Example: "The rising levels of pollution in our cities should be of most concern to policymakers and citizens alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I could go on, but what may be of most concern, ultimately, is those things that are not obvious, and often not visible.

The New Yorker

The study has allowed the combinations of conditions that would be of most concern for automotive paint users to be identified.

Tribology International

The risk assessment subsequently focussed on a subset of prioritised substances (i.e., on substances that have hazardous properties considered to be of most concern for humans), and on children and adults playing amateur football.

Nature

The impact of ride-booking services on the taxi industry has been well-documented, but it is the demand for parking that may be of most concern for airport officials since it is one of the airports' biggest moneymakers.

The Washington Post

What is likely to be of most concern is the fact that pessimism has set in even in Germany, which has Europe's biggest economy, where economic sentiment worsened by 2.3 points.

The New York Times

With so many types of attack to keep track of – Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), industrialised attacks, insider threats, and so on – it has become difficult to clearly delineate between various threat vectors, and most importantly, determine which ones should be of most concern to government and enterprise networks.

Network Security

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But it is the patterns that are of most concern.

The New York Times

What is of most concern is your sense of body image, and complaint of low self-esteem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is the last group that is of most concern because those fighters are believed to be under Iranian influence.

The New York Times

However, this is of most concern to buyers of high-end systems: mainstream users may not know or care.

The Guardian - Tech

This is of most concern in countries where economic mismanagement has already led to a high level of overall unemployment.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of most concern", ensure the context clearly identifies the subject or situation causing the concern. For instance, specify what aspect of a project or policy is most worrying to stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using "be of most concern" without clearly specifying what the concern relates to. Ensure the sentence includes a clear subject that readers can easily understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of most concern" functions as a predicative expression, emphasizing the highest degree of worry or importance associated with a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of most concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the paramount importance or worry associated with a specific subject. Ludwig AI indicates its presence in diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. To effectively use this phrase, ensure that the subject of concern is clearly defined, and tailor the register to suit the audience. While it appears in neutral/formal contexts, it’s vital to avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the greatest worry

Focuses on the worrying aspect, replacing 'concern' with 'worry'.

be the chief worry

Synonymous with 'greatest worry' but uses 'chief' for emphasis.

be the primary issue

Replaces 'concern' with 'issue', emphasizing the problem aspect.

be the top priority

Shifts the focus to prioritization rather than worry.

be the main apprehension

Uses 'apprehension' instead of 'concern', adding a nuance of anxiety.

be the foremost consideration

Emphasizes the importance of the item being considered.

be the biggest fear

Highlights the fear aspect, making it more emotional.

be the central anxiety

Similar to 'apprehension' but with a stronger emotional tone.

be the dominant preoccupation

Suggests something that constantly occupies one's thoughts.

warrant the most attention

Focuses on the need for attention rather than worry.

FAQs

How can I use "be of most concern" in a sentence?

Use "be of most concern" to highlight the most pressing issue or worry. For example, "The environmental impact is "what is of most concern" when planning new developments".

What is a more formal way to say "be of most concern"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "be of primary importance" or "warrant the most attention".

What's the difference between "be of most concern" and "be a concern"?

"Be of most concern" emphasizes the highest level of worry or importance, while "be a concern" simply acknowledges a worry. The former is used when prioritizing issues, while the latter is a general statement of worry.

Are there any situations where "be of most concern" is not appropriate?

Avoid using "be of most concern" in overly casual or informal contexts. In such cases, consider using simpler alternatives like "be the biggest worry" or "be the main thing".