first concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"first concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an issue that is of primary importance. For example, "The safety of our customers is our first concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's their first concern.

The New York Times - Health

Their first concern was their commute.

The New York Times

Our first concern was preservation.

Cornell University

But painting was always Lichtenstein's first concern.

The New Yorker

The first concern can be legality.

The New York Times

His health is obviously the first concern.

The New York Times - Sports

That should be government's first concern".

The New York Times

They said their first concern was speed.

The New York Times

The committee's first concern was safety.

MIT Technology Review

The first concern is the most critical.

Harvard Business Review

Mrs. Gayle's first concern was politics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first concern", ensure it's clear what the subsequent concerns are, or if it's the only concern. This provides clarity and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "first concern" without specifying who has this concern or why it is the primary issue. Lack of context can make the statement ambiguous and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first concern" primarily functions as a noun phrase that identifies the foremost issue or priority. It acts as a subject complement or object in sentences, highlighting what is deemed most important. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the most important issue or priority. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is widespread across various contexts, including news, academia, and business. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "primary concern" or "top priority" can be used interchangeably depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to specify who holds the concern and why it's the primary issue for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Primary concern

Emphasizes that something is of utmost importance or the main worry.

Top priority

Highlights that something is the most important thing needing attention.

Main priority

Indicates what should be dealt with before everything else.

Initial priority

Focuses on what needs to be addressed at the beginning.

Foremost issue

Highlights the most important problem or subject.

Chief worry

Indicates the biggest source of anxiety or concern.

Principal consideration

Emphasizes that something is the most important factor to consider.

Overriding concern

Highlights something that is more important than anything else.

Paramount importance

Stresses that something has the highest level of significance.

Central issue

Highlights a critical point that needs to be resolved.

FAQs

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

You can use "first concern" to indicate the most important issue or priority in a given situation. For example, "Our "first concern" is the safety of our employees."

What are some alternatives to using "first concern"?

Alternatives to "first concern" include "primary concern", "top priority", or "main priority" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "first concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "first concern" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is a clear and professional way to express the most important issue. However, consider "principal consideration" as a more formal alternative.

What's the difference between "first concern" and "initial concern"?

"First concern" refers to the most important issue overall, while "initial concern" refers to the primary issue at the beginning of a process or situation. They can often be used interchangeably, but "initial concern" emphasizes the temporal aspect.