great preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

"great preoccupation" is a grammatically correct phrase and it is often used in written English.
It means a strong or intense focus on a particular thing or topic. Example: His great preoccupation with his career had made him neglect his personal life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In my case the plight of nonhuman animals at human hands became the great preoccupation.

The New York Times

But Daniele Capezzone, spokesman of Mr. Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, said that Tuesday's ruling prompted "great preoccupation and perplexity," the Ansa news agency reported.

The New York Times

The plot of the movie, however, takes an unadvertised leftward turn towards murder – the great preoccupation of late Allen films – and the relationship between teacher and student is turned on its head.

The Guardian - Film

His father was a war hero whom he idolised, and masculinity is his great preoccupation; he tends to view the world in terms of heroes and villains, and favours short, terse sentences.

The Guardian - Books

This fascination with structures of perceiving, the forms that communicate them, and the relationship of poet and poetry to the lived, material "real" is the great preoccupation of Yves Bonnefoy, arguably the major French poet of the second half of the century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Who has it and who doesn't will be the great preoccupation of 2009.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is the relationship within it of Wagner's two great preoccupations: myth and psychology.

The Guardian - Music

Masks, dressing up and gender-bending were the New Romantics' great preoccupations.

The New York Times

The 1994 and 1996 elections were his great preoccupations as chairman, and he took them on with a military aggressiveness.

The New York Times - Magazine

By 1970 he found he had arrived at the two great preoccupations of his life: the explication of presence and an awareness of perception.

The New Yorker

In 1973, he merged the two great preoccupations of his life by publishing a book, "The Malpractice of Psychiatrists"; it was the first important analysis of the legal responsibilities of psychiatrists in relation to therapy, medication, hospitalization, suicide, and shock treatment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great preoccupation", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is intensely focused on. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Do not use "great preoccupation" without specifying the object of focus. Vague usage weakens the phrase and confuses the reader. Always clarify what the subject is preoccupied with.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a significant and intense focus on a particular subject, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great preoccupation" signifies a significant and intense focus on a specific subject or concern. Grammatically correct and generally neutral in register, it functions as a noun phrase, conveying the intensity of someone's attention. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While "great preoccupation" appears across diverse contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. Alternatives include "major concern", "primary focus", or "chief interest". Remember to clearly define the object of focus to avoid vague usage. The phrase is a useful tool for emphasizing the importance of someone's concentration on a particular matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central preoccupation

Emphasizes the centrality of the preoccupation.

overriding concern

Emphasizes the importance and priority of the concern.

major concern

Replaces "preoccupation" with "concern", indicating something that causes anxiety.

primary focus

Substitutes "preoccupation" with "focus", highlighting the main area of attention.

foremost interest

Highlights the priority of the interest.

chief interest

Changes "preoccupation" to "interest", suggesting a strong enthusiasm or curiosity.

principal obsession

Indicates that something is the main obsession in a person's life.

main obsession

Replaces "preoccupation" with "obsession", implying a more intense and potentially unhealthy focus.

major fixation

Implies an intense and often unhealthy focus.

dominant thought

Shifts the emphasis to the mental aspect, suggesting a thought that constantly occupies the mind.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "great preoccupation" in a sentence?

To effectively use "great preoccupation", clearly state what the subject is preoccupied with. For example, "His "great preoccupation" with environmental issues led him to start a recycling program".

What are some alternatives to "great preoccupation"?

Alternatives include "major concern", "primary focus", or "chief interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. These can be used to express a similar level of intense focus or concern.

Is it grammatically correct to use "great preoccupation"?

Yes, "great preoccupation" is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What is the difference between "great preoccupation" and "minor preoccupation"?

"Great preoccupation" implies a significant and intense focus, while "minor preoccupation" suggests a less important or less intense focus. The choice depends on the degree of attention you want to emphasize.