core concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"core concern" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to an issue or problem that is particularly important or severe. For example: "Climate change is a core concern for many scientists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Doubt" has lots of religious authority figures, which is great, but its core concern is pedophilia.

The New York Times

The opponents of immigration reform have many small complaints, but they really have one core concern.

The New York Times

Melody was a core concern on that album, however Mr. Klein chose to reframe it.

The New York Times - Arts

The mighty Sun has, despite all its protestations, been defeated by one small but core concern of feminism.

The Guardian - Opinion

They do not focus on what campaigners see as the core concern: how Shell plans to manage its way to a low-carbon global economy.

The Guardian - Business

Earnest, outlining Obama's longstanding thinking about launching new air strikes in Iraq, noted that protecting US personnel was a core concern for the US president.

The Guardian

And the true test of success, he said, will be whether the project elevates climate change to a core concern for Americans.

The Guardian

And while the issue of corporate speech is debatable, campaign expenditures are at least a part of the political system, the core concern of the First Amendment.

The New York Times

Still, our core concern is that many judicial release orders exhibit confusion about or disregard for the distinction between pretrial release and post-conviction punishment.

The New York Times

In response to a core concern of expatriate groups, Mr. Carey denied that the answers on the form might increase voters' exposure to taxes.

The New York Times

Its core concern is liberty defined as elected, accountable government, the rule of law and human rights—rather than the means by which liberty advances.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "core concern", follow it with a brief explanation to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity, especially when addressing diverse audiences.

Common error

Avoid using "core concern" excessively in casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stiff in everyday interactions. Consider simpler alternatives like "main issue" or "big problem" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies the most important or fundamental issue. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "core concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight the most significant issue in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across varied domains, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal communications. The phrase serves to emphasize the centrality of a concern, signaling its importance to the audience. While versatile, "core concern" is most appropriately deployed in neutral to professional settings, where its formality aligns with the communication's tone. Alternative phrases such as "primary focus" or "central issue" can offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central issue

Highlights the key problem or matter under discussion.

key consideration

Stresses an important factor to be taken into account.

primary focus

Focuses on the main point of attention or effort.

critical element

Highlights an essential component that is indispensable.

main priority

Emphasizes what is most important to address first.

crucial aspect

Points out a particularly important feature or element.

principal worry

Indicates the most significant source of anxiety or unease.

chief preoccupation

Suggests something that someone thinks about most of the time.

fundamental question

Highlights a basic issue that needs to be resolved.

underlying problem

Identifies a less obvious, but crucial issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "core concern" to highlight the most important issue in a given situation. For example: "The project's "core concern" is staying within budget."

What are some alternatives to "core concern"?

Some alternatives include "primary focus", "central issue", or "main priority". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "core concern" in both formal and informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "core concern" is generally more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What makes "core concern" different from "important issue"?

"Core concern" emphasizes the centrality and fundamental nature of an issue, suggesting it's the most critical aspect to consider. "Important issue" is broader and can refer to any matter of significance.