chief preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's primary concern or focus in a particular context. Example: "Her chief preoccupation during the meeting was ensuring that the project stayed on schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The show's organizing theme and chief preoccupation is motherhood and child rearing.

The New York Times - Arts

In East Asia, Mrs. Nelson added, SARS, not war, is the chief preoccupation.

The New York Times

The chief preoccupation of Johanan and his students was the study and continuing development of the Law (Halakha).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Saizman's chief preoccupation as a composer these days is a mixed‐media performJog group called QUOG.

The New York Times

In fact, maintaining the sound and structure of that room was initially the chief preoccupation of the designers.

The New York Times

All of the speculation, which has hit DefCom 4, actually threatens to overtake the Oscars as Hollywood's chief preoccupation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The chief preoccupations of this character, often the narrator, are objects, women, and music.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Removing the disturbance became one of Mancusi-Ungaro's chief preoccupations during her time at the Menil.

The New Yorker

One of the chief preoccupations of the presidents of this province, scarred as it was by war and starvation, was to repopulate it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The codification of law was one of Bentham's chief preoccupations, and it was his ambition to be allowed to prepare a code of laws for his own or some foreign country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Adair's story, of an American exchange student who falls under the spell first of the Cinémathèque Française and then of two of the cinephiles he meets there, is well suited to Mr. Bertolucci's chief preoccupations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief preoccupation" when you want to emphasize that something is not just a concern, but the most important one. This implies it influences decisions and actions significantly.

Common error

Avoid using "chief preoccupation" too frequently in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or overly formal. Vary your language by using synonyms like "main concern" or "primary focus" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it describing a primary concern or focus. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

14%

Books

11%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

1%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief preoccupation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to denote the main concern or focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its usage extends to encyclopedias and books, indicating a versatile application across different contexts. While synonyms like "main concern" and "primary focus" exist, "chief preoccupation" adds a nuanced emphasis on the prioritization of the concern. Overuse should be avoided to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main concern

Focuses on the aspect of worry or importance.

primary focus

Highlights the area of greatest attention.

principal interest

Emphasizes the element of personal engagement or curiosity.

central concern

Indicates something at the heart of the matter.

major priority

Stresses the importance and ranking of something.

overriding concern

Suggests a concern that takes precedence over others.

dominant preoccupation

Highlights the pervasiveness of the concern.

preeminent interest

Focuses on the superior quality or importance of the interest.

ruling passion

Emphasizes the emotional intensity of the preoccupation.

consuming interest

Suggests that the interest occupies a significant amount of time or thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "chief preoccupation" to describe someone's main concern or focus. For example: "His chief preoccupation was finishing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "chief preoccupation"?

Some alternatives to "chief preoccupation" include "main concern", "primary focus", or "principal interest", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "main preoccupation" instead of "chief preoccupation"?

Yes, "main preoccupation" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "chief preoccupation". Both phrases convey the idea of a primary concern.

What's the difference between a "preoccupation" and a "chief preoccupation"?

A "preoccupation" is a general concern, while a "chief preoccupation" indicates the most important or dominant concern among many possible concerns. "Chief" emphasizes the priority.