chief concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"chief concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is of utmost importance. For example: "The chief concern for the state government is providing relief to victims of the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indonesia is the chief concern.

The Economist

Their chief concern was to maximize spectacle.

The New Yorker

Israel's chief concern is military security.

The New York Times

Language was his chief concern.

The Guardian - Arts

Fuel economy was their chief concern.

The New York Times

But that is not her chief concern.

The New York Times

This time, I was my chief concern.

The New York Times

Its obscenity is the chief concern for its harshest critics.

The New York Times - Sports

And by now it is the voters' chief concern.

The Economist

The Pope's council had reform as its chief concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her chief concern is abortion — she strongly opposes it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief concern" to clearly and directly state the most significant worry, problem, or priority in a given situation. For example, "The company's chief concern is the declining sales figures."

Common error

Avoid using "chief concern" in highly informal contexts. While understandable, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler terms like "main worry" or "biggest issue" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most significant worry or priority. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the central focus of attention or action, as affirmed by Ludwig's AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academic sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief concern" is a commonly used noun phrase that serves to highlight the most significant worry or issue in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. As indicated by Ludwig's analysis, it's frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic content, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "main worry" or "top priority" exist, "chief concern" maintains a level of formality suitable for professional or academic settings. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and audience to effectively convey the primary area of focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main worry

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety or apprehension.

primary issue

Highlights the most important problem or matter at hand.

principal anxiety

Emphasizes the leading cause of unease or stress.

major preoccupation

Indicates something that dominates one's thoughts.

top priority

Indicates the most important thing needing attention.

central interest

Focuses on the core area of attention or curiosity.

foremost consideration

Highlights what is most crucial when making a decision.

overriding objective

Implies a goal that takes precedence over all others.

key focus

Highlights the central point of attention or effort.

paramount importance

Stresses the supreme significance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "chief concern" in a sentence?

You can use "chief concern" to highlight the most significant issue or worry. For example, "The "chief concern is" the lack of funding for the project."

What's a more casual way to express "chief concern"?

For less formal situations, you might prefer alternatives like "main worry", "biggest issue", or "top priority".

Is "chief concern" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "chief concern" is perfectly suitable for formal writing, such as reports, essays, or business communications, to emphasize the most important issue.

What are some synonyms for "chief concern" that maintain a similar level of formality?

Synonyms like "primary issue", "principal anxiety", or "foremost consideration" can be used in formal contexts to replace "chief concern" while retaining a similar tone.