governing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "governing concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary issue or matter that is of significant importance or influence in a particular context. Example: "The governing concern of the meeting was to address the budget cuts affecting the department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The economic dimension of sustainability is still the governing concern of the construction industry practitioners.

Journal of Cleaner Production

The key is for he and his Party to make the struggle of every day people their number one rhetorical and governing concern.

Huffington Post

Parks is ever smart, and funny, about the automatic hypocrisy of middle-class manners, their governing concern for calmness and order.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Only 18 years old then, Semenya left the stadium without giving interviews or a news conference, with track and field's governing body concerned that she would not be able to handle the lines of inquiry.

The New York Times - Sports

Utilisation of the North American redwood resource is limited by legislation governing environmental concerns and sustainable forest management practice.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The application of governing equations concerned a canine experimental implant and numerical experiments based upon statistical designs of experiments supported the discussion.

Journal of Biomechanics

In this paper after presenting governing equations concerning the dielectrophoresis phenomenon, a microfluidic actuator introduced in which an interdigitated electrode pattern is applied in.

Journal of Electrostatics

Asked whether the DNC Unity Commission the official entity charged with proposing a new set of governing rules concerning caucuses, primaries, voter registration, superdelegates, and more has been visibly taking steps in that direction, Packnett responded, "I think it's too soon to tell".

Vice

It would be encouraging if the Democratic presidential candidate did indeed attempt to learn something from Europe's democratic, and barely socialist, governing left concerning the welfare of those who are not super-rich, i.e., how to provide quality health care and education for all--but that is not what is happening.

Huffington Post

The Kurds would retain their autonomy within their own borders; independent Shiites could govern without concern for a Sunni uprising; and as a separate country, the Sunnis would no longer fear reprisal.

The New York Times

He says he will govern without concern about being re-elected and with a discipline Albany is unaccustomed to: a strict hiring freeze, a hard property-tax cap, conservative budgeting, no more passing on the cost of state-mandated programs to local governments and structural reforms like a unicameral Legislature, an ethics overhaul and tighter campaign-finance rules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "governing concern" when you want to emphasize that a specific issue has significant influence or control over decisions and actions within a particular context. It suggests that this concern is at the forefront of considerations.

Common error

While "governing concern" is appropriate for formal and professional settings, avoid using it in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "main worry" or "primary issue" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "governing concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows it identifies the primary matter that influences actions or decisions. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "governing concern" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that signifies the most important or influential issue in a given context. According to Ludwig, it effectively highlights the dominant factor that shapes decisions and actions. While its frequency is relatively rare, its use is primarily observed in news and media, as well as scientific publications, indicating a formal to neutral register. Alternatives include "main priority" or "central issue", offering similar semantic weight. When writing, remember to use "governing concern" to underscore key issues, but use more simple phrases in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main priority

Focuses on the element of ranking and importance, emphasizing what comes first.

primary focus

Highlights the concentration of attention or effort on a particular aspect.

key priority

Emphasizes the critical importance and urgency of an objective.

central issue

Identifies the core problem or matter that needs to be addressed.

chief preoccupation

Emphasizes the state of being intensely absorbed in something.

principal consideration

Highlights the most important factor to take into account.

major preoccupation

Highlights intense focus on a primary issue, suggesting worry or deep thought.

overriding objective

Stresses the dominance of a particular goal over others.

dominant factor

Indicates a major influence that shapes events or decisions.

foremost responsibility

Focuses on the obligation of someone or an organization and highlights the duty that comes first.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "governing concern" in a sentence?

Use "governing concern" to highlight the most influential or pressing issue affecting decisions or actions. For instance, "The "governing concern" of the committee was the budget deficit" indicates that financial constraints were the primary factor influencing their discussions.

What are some alternatives to "governing concern" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "main priority", "primary focus", or "central issue" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the aspect of importance or influence.

Is "governing concern" suitable for all types of writing?

No, "governing concern" is more appropriate for formal writing, professional reports, or academic papers. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "main concern" or "biggest issue" may be more suitable.

What distinguishes "governing concern" from "primary concern"?

"Governing concern" implies that the concern is actively shaping decisions and actions, whereas "primary concern" simply indicates the most important issue. The former suggests a controlling influence, while the latter indicates top priority.