main concern

USAGE SUMMARY

'main concern' is correct and is used in written English.
Example sentence: My main concern is making sure everyone is safe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's our main concern".

The New York Times

"This is their main concern".

The New Yorker

"Justice is our main concern.

Independent

This is our main concern.

The Economist

That's my main concern now.

The New York Times

"Our main concern is security.

The New Yorker

That's my main concern".

The New York Times - Sports

But economics is not its main concern.

The Economist

The main concern was for the horses.

The New York Times

His main concern is his daughter.

The New York Times - Books

His main concern was with the name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main concern", ensure the context clearly identifies whose concern it is, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For example, 'The patient's main concern was managing the pain' is more specific than 'The main concern was the pain'.

Common error

While "main concern" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "primary focus", "chief priority", or "principal worry" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main concern" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. Ludwig shows that it identifies the principal focus, worry, or priority within a given context. The Examples on Ludwig clarify that it can represent personal anxieties, organizational priorities, or societal issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "main concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the most important worry, focus, or priority in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to prioritize information and direct attention to what is considered most significant. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to business documents. While acceptable, varying your language by using synonyms such as "primary focus" or "chief priority" can enhance writing clarity and engagement. As Ludwig's examples show, understanding whose concern it is adds specificity and avoids ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Primary focus

Changes the noun from 'concern' to 'focus', implying a central point of attention rather than worry.

Principal worry

Replaces 'concern' with 'worry', emphasizing the anxiety aspect.

Chief priority

Substitutes 'concern' with 'priority', highlighting the importance and order of things.

Central issue

Shifts the focus to a problem or matter of debate, rather than a feeling of unease.

Overriding consideration

Emphasizes that something is more important than anything else.

Foremost thought

Replaces 'concern' with 'thought', softening the sense of anxiety to simple consideration.

Key interest

Suggests an element of personal investment or advantage not present in 'concern'.

Biggest anxiety

Directly addresses the feeling of worry associated with a 'concern'.

Top priority

Emphasizes the item at the top of the list in order of importance.

Greatest apprehension

Focuses on the fear or dread that something bad might happen, making it more intense than a simple concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "main concern" to express the most important worry or focus in a particular situation. For example, "The "main concern" is safety" or "Her "main concern" was her family's well-being".

What are some alternatives to "main concern"?

Alternatives include "primary focus", "chief priority", "principal worry", or "overriding consideration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "main concern" or "major concern"?

Both "main concern" and "major concern" are correct, but "main concern" usually implies the single most important issue, while "major concern" suggests one of several significant issues.

What's the difference between "main concern" and "primary concern"?

"Main concern" and "primary concern" are often interchangeable, but "main" tends to emphasize singularity, while "primary" highlights fundamental importance. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the single most important concern or its basic nature.