foremost concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the most important issue or worry. For example, "The safety of our customers is our foremost concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rate increases are their foremost concern.

The New York Times

France is of foremost concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

But money is not their foremost concern.

The New York Times

But it is the injuries that remain their foremost concern.

The New York Times - Sports

With any injury, player safety is our foremost concern.

The New York Times - Sports

He said money is not his foremost concern.

The New York Times - Sports

It found that political reform had displaced reform of state enterprises as their foremost concern.

The Economist

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

The New York Times - Books

The concert's tone was dramatic but not theatrical; musicality was its foremost concern.

The New York Times - Arts

In polls during the primaries, voters consistently said that education was their foremost concern.

The New York Times

Supporters of incorporation say their foremost concern is the lack of an emergency evacuation plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "foremost concern" with strong verbs to highlight action taken to address the concern. For example, "Addressing climate change is a foremost concern that requires immediate action."

Common error

Avoid using "foremost concern" in contexts where the issue is not of significant importance. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Instead, opt for less emphatic phrases like "a concern" or "an issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most significant issue or worry. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, affirming its correct and widespread application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost concern" is a frequently used noun phrase that signifies the highest priority or most significant worry. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "primary worry" or "main priority", "foremost concern" distinctly emphasizes the top-most importance. Remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations genuinely deserving of such emphasis to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main priority

Emphasizes importance and order of action.

top priority

Stresses the urgency and precedence.

chief consideration

Highlights the thought or deliberation aspect.

primary worry

Focuses on the anxiety aspect, rather than importance.

principal issue

Focuses on the problem or matter at hand.

central focus

Highlights the point of attention and concentration.

utmost importance

Emphasizes the degree of significance.

major preoccupation

Implies a dominant and absorbing thought.

greatest worry

Focuses on the anxiety caused by something.

overriding objective

Emphasizes dominance and purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "foremost concern" to highlight the most important worry or priority. For instance, "The company's "foremost concern" is customer satisfaction."

What is a good alternative to "foremost concern"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "primary worry", "main priority", or "chief consideration".

Is it better to say "foremost concern" or "primary concern"?

"Foremost concern" and "primary concern" are often interchangeable, but "foremost" emphasizes the top-most importance, while "primary" simply means first or main.

When should I use "foremost concern" instead of "major concern"?

"Foremost concern" should be used when highlighting the single most important issue, while "major concern" is suitable when discussing one of several significant issues.