chief concern is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief concern is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the primary issue or matter of importance in a discussion or context. Example: "The chief concern is ensuring the safety of all participants during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Israel's chief concern is military security.

The New York Times

Her chief concern is abortion — she strongly opposes it.

The New York Times

My chief concern is not my hair, but my hairline.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As on the mainland, the chief concern is the high price of property.

The New York Times

Their chief concern is to create a legacy for their wealth while continuing to grow it.

The New York Times

The chief concern is the mismatch between the duration of banks' liabilities and their assets.

The Economist

China's chief concern is the threat posed by Uighur separatists and their sympathisers in Central Asia.

The Economist

For the everyday driver, of course, a chief concern is still arriving in one piece.

The New York Times

But the chief concern is the impact of that emblem of controversy, the Three Gorges Dam.

The Economist

What could the FAA, an agency whose chief concern is air travel, want with outer space?

The Washington Post

As head of the lab, Williams' chief concern is the future of computing.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief concern is" to clearly and directly state the most important issue or worry in a given situation. This phrase ensures clarity and emphasizes the significance of the point being made.

Common error

While "chief concern is" is grammatically sound, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main thing is" or "biggest worry is" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief concern is" functions as a subject complement, linking a subject to a noun phrase that describes or identifies it. It highlights the most significant worry or issue, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief concern is" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for emphasizing the most important issue or worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news, academic, and formal settings. While highly frequent, consider using simpler alternatives in casual conversations. The phrase functions as a subject complement, directing attention to the primary concern. Remember that, while authoritative, overuse in informal contexts can make your writing sound unnatural. Several options are available for the alternative to "chief concern is", such as "main worry is" or "primary concern is".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main worry is

Replaces "chief concern" with "main worry", simplifying the language.

primary concern is

Substitutes "chief" with "primary", offering a more common synonym.

biggest issue is

Changes the focus to "issue" instead of "concern", suggesting a problem to be addressed.

major preoccupation is

Replaces "chief concern" with a stronger term, "major preoccupation", indicating an absorbing worry.

foremost consideration is

Uses more formal language, replacing "concern" with "consideration" and "chief" with "foremost".

central problem is

Focuses on the "problem" aspect of the concern, highlighting a difficulty that needs solving.

overriding anxiety is

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of the concern, using "anxiety" to suggest a feeling of unease.

top priority is

Shifts the focus to what is most important to address or resolve.

main focus is

Highlights the central point of attention or activity.

critical question is

Frames the concern as a question that needs to be answered.

FAQs

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

The phrase "chief concern is" is used to emphasize the primary worry or issue in a given situation. For example, "The "chief concern is" the potential impact on local businesses."

What are some alternatives to "chief concern is"?

You can use phrases like "main worry is", "primary concern is", or "biggest issue is" as alternatives to "chief concern is", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "chief concern is" in academic writing?

Yes, "chief concern is" is appropriate for academic writing as it clearly and directly indicates the most important issue being addressed. It maintains a formal and professional tone suitable for academic discourse.

What's the difference between "chief concern is" and "a concern is"?

"Chief concern is" emphasizes that the concern being mentioned is the most important one, whereas "a concern is" simply indicates that something is a worry or issue, without necessarily being the primary one.