chiefly concerned with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly concerned with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary focus or main interest of a subject or discussion. Example: "The report is chiefly concerned with the environmental impacts of urban development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The thorax is chiefly concerned with locomotion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The letters are chiefly concerned with musical performances, composition, and related affairs.

Columbia University

Mr Jobs seems chiefly concerned with getting Europe's regulators off his back.

The Economist

But Ms. Heffernan is chiefly concerned with the dangerous effects of this blindness.

The New York Times

Many WPA photographers were chiefly concerned with documentation; White, however, preferred a more personal approach.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A third baseman has to be chiefly concerned with catching or stopping the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Edwards seems chiefly concerned with how best to talk about his plan for the economy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Similar investigations1 4 conducted in temperate regions have been chiefly concerned with terrestrial insects.

Nature

Its rules were chiefly concerned with property and the settlement of debts.

Britannica

The concept of insulation system is chiefly concerned with the stator winding lifetime of the high voltage (HV) electrical machines.

Measurement

There he was chiefly concerned with planetary astronomy, the orbits of double stars, and determinations of stellar parallax.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chiefly concerned with" to clearly signal the main subject or area of focus within a larger context. This helps readers quickly understand the primary topic.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly concerned with" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of "The book is chiefly concerned with cats", consider "The book focuses on cats".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly concerned with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It indicates the primary area of focus, interest, or responsibility. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to specify the main subject of a discussion, study, or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

18%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chiefly concerned with" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the main focus or primary area of interest, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is commonly used across various contexts, including academic, scientific, and news media, making it appropriate for both formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the most important aspect of the subject matter. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "primarily focused on" or "mainly interested in", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily focused on

Emphasizes the main area of attention or concentration.

mainly interested in

Highlights a key area of interest or preoccupation.

largely preoccupied with

Suggests a significant degree of mental absorption or focus.

principally involved in

Indicates the major activity or undertaking.

primarily engaged in

Similar to 'involved in', but may suggest more active participation.

mostly dedicated to

Highlights a strong commitment or devotion to something.

essentially centered on

Highlights that the central aspect is around a topic.

predominantly attentive to

Indicates that attention is mostly directed towards a particular aspect.

fundamentally concentrated on

Signifies that the basic element is oriented to one topic.

particularly keen on

Highlights a strong interest or enthusiasm for something.

FAQs

How can I use "chiefly concerned with" in a sentence?

Use "chiefly concerned with" to indicate the main subject or area of focus. For example, "The report is chiefly concerned with the environmental impacts of urban development".

What are some alternatives to "chiefly concerned with"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily focused on", "mainly interested in", or "largely preoccupied with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chiefly concerned with" formal or informal?

"Chiefly concerned with" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. While not overly informal, it maintains a professional tone appropriate for various writing styles.

What's the difference between "chiefly concerned with" and "primarily concerned with"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "chiefly concerned with" implies that while there might be other concerns, the mentioned one is the most important. "Primarily concerned with" simply indicates the main concern without necessarily implying a hierarchy of concerns.