greatest concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"greatest concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is of the highest degree of worry. For example, "The greatest concern of the CEO was that the new product would not be accepted in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Her greatest concern is money.

The New Yorker

My greatest concern is theocracy.

The New York Times - Magazine

This however is not the greatest concern.

Independent

The greatest concern is protecting copyright.

The Economist

But his greatest concern was Trump's character.

The New Yorker

"That was the greatest concern people had".

The New York Times

Of greatest concern are metropolitan cities like Hong Kong.

Environmental Research

But her greatest concern is for refugee children.

Independent

The possible externality of greatest concern may be national defense.

The New York Times

But getting mugged was not her greatest concern on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

My second-greatest concern is using other people as validation.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatest concern" to highlight the single most important worry or issue, ensuring it stands out from other considerations.

Common error

Avoid labeling something as the "greatest concern" if it's only one of many equally weighted issues. Ensure that the identified concern genuinely surpasses others in significance to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the most significant worry or issue in a given context. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatest concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight the most significant worry or issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to emphasize importance across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral to formal, its emphatic nature makes it particularly suitable for professional and academic settings. When using this expression, clarity is key: ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "primary concern", "main concern", and "top concern" offer nuanced variations in meaning, providing writers with options to tailor their language precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary concern

Replaces "greatest" with "primary", indicating main importance rather than the highest degree of worry.

main concern

Substitutes "greatest" with "main", suggesting a key focus or worry.

top concern

Replaces "greatest" with "top", indicating the highest priority.

chief concern

Uses "chief" instead of "greatest", emphasizing the principal or most important worry.

major concern

Replaces "greatest" with "major", indicating a significant but not necessarily the highest level of worry.

biggest concern

Substitutes "greatest" with "biggest", suggesting a substantial level of worry.

overriding concern

Indicates a concern that takes precedence over others, changing the focus from degree to dominance.

paramount concern

Replaces "greatest" with "paramount", highlighting the supreme importance or worry.

most pressing issue

Shifts the focus from worry to a problem that demands immediate attention.

most significant worry

Rephrases the phrase by using "significant worry" instead of concern.

FAQs

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

Use "greatest concern" to emphasize the most significant worry or issue in a given situation. For example, "The company's "greatest concern" is the declining sales figures".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "greatest concern"?

You can use phrases like "primary concern", "main concern", or "top concern" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "greatest concern" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to highlight the most significant issue. For more informal situations you can use "biggest concern".

What's the difference between "greatest concern" and "major concern"?

"Greatest concern" implies the highest level of worry or significance, while "major concern" indicates a significant but not necessarily the most critical issue.