legitimate preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a valid concern or interest that someone has regarding a particular issue or topic. Example: "Her legitimate preoccupation with environmental issues drives her to advocate for sustainable practices in her community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Tuvalu has a very legitimate preoccupation for a most ambitious possible agreement," declared Sergio Serra, Brazil's climate ambassador during Copenhagen.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In this eye-opening polemic, Dickerson argues that black Americans' self-doubt and preoccupation with racial grievances, "however legitimate, keeps them from having to fashion a constructive way of viewing their role in American life".

The New York Times

Adds Scott-Dixon, "'Clean eating' is a preoccupation of people who, in socioeconomic terms, really don't have any real, legitimate worries.

Vice

Another big, new preoccupation?

The New York Times

But Matt Matttt was his preoccupation.

The New Yorker

"This was a Conservative preoccupation.

Independent

Joblessness remains the main preoccupation.

The New York Times

I was mining a preoccupation.

The New Yorker

Family is a major preoccupation.

The Economist

Weight is still a preoccupation.

The New York Times - Arts

The preoccupation with squalor.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate preoccupation", ensure the context clearly establishes the validity or justification of the concern or interest. Provide supporting details or evidence to reinforce its legitimacy.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate preoccupation" when the concern is trivial or lacks substantial basis. Overusing the phrase can weaken its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate preoccupation" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "legitimate" modifies "preoccupation". It denotes a concern or interest that is both valid and occupies a significant portion of someone's thoughts. Ludwig AI validates this construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legitimate preoccupation" denotes a valid and significant concern or interest. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts to describe motivations or actions stemming from this central concern. While not a very common expression, its meaning is clear: a concern or interest is not only valid but also a central or dominant focus for an individual or group. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the legitimacy of the concern with supporting details or evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Valid concern

Replaces "preoccupation" with a more direct and less intense term, focusing on the validity of the concern rather than its dominance in thought.

Justified worry

Substitutes "preoccupation" with "worry", implying a level of anxiety that is warranted.

Reasonable concern

Emphasizes the rationality behind the concern, suggesting it is logical and understandable.

Genuine interest

Shifts the focus from a concern to a positive interest that is authentic and sincere.

Well-founded anxiety

Highlights the basis for the anxiety, indicating it stems from credible reasons.

Warranted apprehension

Indicates that the feeling of apprehension is justified based on the circumstances.

Acceptable obsession

Uses "obsession" with the adjective "acceptable", which creates a more intense and potentially controversial nuance, suggesting the preoccupation, while intense, is still within acceptable boundaries.

Understandable focus

Replaces "preoccupation" with "focus", which is still valid and easy to understand.

Defensible concern

Stresses the ability to defend or justify the concern, implying it is based on sound reasoning.

Legitimate fixation

Substitutes "preoccupation" with "fixation", suggesting a more intense and possibly obsessive focus that is nevertheless valid.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimate preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate preoccupation" to describe a valid and justifiable concern or interest someone has. For example: "Her "legitimate preoccupation" with climate change drives her activism."

What phrases can I use instead of "legitimate preoccupation"?

Alternatives include "valid concern", "justified worry", or "genuine interest" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "legitimate concern" the same as "legitimate preoccupation"?

While similar, "legitimate preoccupation" suggests a stronger and more dominant focus than a "legitimate concern". A preoccupation implies something that occupies the mind frequently.

When is it appropriate to use "legitimate preoccupation"?

Use "legitimate preoccupation" when you want to emphasize that someone's focus or concern is not only valid but also significantly influences their thoughts or actions. It's suitable when the concern is serious and well-founded.