first and foremost concern

USAGE SUMMARY

'first and foremost concern' is a valid expression in written English.
It is used to emphasize a primary point of interest or importance. For example: "My first and foremost concern is to ensure the safety of all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

His first and foremost concern is the customer.

Harvard Business Review

The complex balance of rational and national identities is its first and foremost concern.

The New York Times - Books

"Our first and foremost concern has always been our patients, and particularly those who have experienced complications.

The Guardian

"Our first and foremost concern is that in no way do we want this to happen to any other individual.

The Guardian

All the decisions I make are based on what is best for the team, and that's my first and foremost concern.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, unlike in other popular ADP application areas like robotics or games, in process control applications first and foremost concern should be on the safety and economics of the on-going operation rather than on efficient learning.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

According to Mr. Phillipson, Smith was, first and foremost, concerned with developing "a genuine Science of Man" — an effort that began when Smith was a student at Glasgow University.

The New York Times

While his work in market design first and foremost concerns specialist labor markets, he is similarly interested in other bilateral coordination problems with and without prices.

Cornell University

Oppression is injustice that, first and foremost, concerns groups; individuals are oppressed just in case they are subjected to injustice because of their group membership.

SEP

In the discussions that dominated the initial debates, deliberative democracy first and foremost concerned the how question of democracy: how do the people rule themselves in a democratic manner?

Johns Hopkins University

Experts and doctors said such conditions would first and foremost raise concerns for a patient's mental health.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first and foremost concern" to clearly signal the most important issue when addressing multiple concerns. It helps prioritize information for your audience.

Common error

While effective, using "first and foremost concern" too frequently can dilute its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "primary focus" or "main priority" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and foremost concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most important issue or worry. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing examples where it is used to introduce a primary point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first and foremost concern" is a valid and useful phrase for emphasizing the most important worry or issue in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides diverse examples from reputable sources. While versatile, be mindful of overusing it and consider synonyms like "primary concern" or "main priority" for variety. The phrase finds frequent application in news and media, science, and academic settings. By using this phrase judiciously, you can effectively communicate priorities and focus your audience's attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary concern

This alternative is a more concise way to express the main worry or focus.

main priority

This alternative shifts the focus slightly from worry to what is most important to address.

top priority

This alternative is a very common way to express the most important issue.

chief concern

This alternative uses a more formal word (chief) to indicate the most important concern.

paramount concern

This alternative uses a stronger word (paramount) to emphasize the supreme importance of the concern.

foremost priority

This alternative rearranges the words to emphasize priority.

principal concern

This alternative uses 'principal' to indicate the main or most important concern.

central focus

This alternative shifts the emphasis from worry to the main point of attention.

key consideration

This alternative emphasizes that something is being carefully thought about.

primary focus

Similar to 'central focus' but more direct, indicating the main point of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "first and foremost concern" in a sentence?

You can use "first and foremost concern" to highlight the most pressing issue. For example, "Our "first and foremost concern" is the safety of our employees."

What is a good alternative to "first and foremost concern"?

Alternatives include "primary concern", "main priority", or "chief concern", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "first and foremost concern"?

While "first and foremost" already implies priority, using it with "concern" reinforces the significance of the issue. However, consider if a simpler phrase like "main concern" would suffice for conciseness.

What's the difference between "first and foremost concern" and "top priority"?

"First and foremost concern" emphasizes worry or importance from a problem perspective, whereas "top priority" focuses on the action or goal that needs immediate attention. They are similar but have slightly different connotations.