major concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"major concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an issue or problem that is of great importance and requires urgent attention. For example, "The major concern facing the government right now is the high unemployment rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A major concern is crime.

The Economist

Portugal's the next major concern".

The New York Times

Mold is a major concern.

The New Yorker

Tuition costs are a major concern.

The New York Times

Inflation has become a major concern.

The New York Times

These, alas, will remain a major concern.

The Economist

Crime is also a major concern.

The New York Times

His major concern is a free press.

The New Yorker

My major concern is getting us prepared".

The Guardian - Sport

Another major concern is seeds.

The Guardian

That is a major concern?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major concern", clearly specify what the concern is to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Climate change is a major concern", specify what aspects of climate change are concerning: "The increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change is a major concern".

Common error

While "major concern" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "big worry" or "main problem" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major concern" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is used to identify a problem, issue, or situation that is considered significant and demands attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major concern" is a common and grammatically sound way to express significant worry or apprehension about an issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. As evidenced by the examples, it is most frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings to highlight critical issues that require attention. Alternatives like "significant worry" or "principal issue" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "major concern", be specific about the concern to avoid ambiguity. While it's acceptable in many situations, it may be too formal for very casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "major" with "significant", slightly altering the tone.

primary apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension" and "major" with "primary", indicating a leading source of anxiety.

chief anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "major" with "chief", emphasizing the principal cause of unease.

principal issue

Uses "issue" instead of "concern" and "principal" instead of "major", focusing on the main problem.

key consideration

Replaces "concern" with "consideration" and "major" with "key", shifting the focus to an important factor to think about.

serious problem

Substitutes "concern" with "problem" and "major" with "serious", highlighting the gravity of the situation.

critical matter

Replaces "concern" with "matter" and "major" with "critical", emphasizing the importance and urgency.

pressing issue

Uses "issue" instead of "concern" and "pressing" instead of "major", indicating urgency and the need for attention.

grave matter

Substitutes "concern" with "matter" and "major" with "grave", indicating a serious and alarming problem.

paramount consideration

Replaces "concern" with "consideration" and "major" with "paramount", stressing the supreme importance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "major concern" to highlight a significant issue. For example, "The lack of funding is a "major concern" for the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "major concern"?

Alternatives include "significant worry", "primary apprehension", or "principal issue". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "major concern" formal or informal?

"Major concern" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, business documents, and academic papers. It's less common in very informal settings, where a phrase like "big worry" might be more appropriate.

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

"Major concern" indicates a significant issue that requires attention, while "minor concern" refers to a less important issue that may not need immediate action. The choice depends on the severity and impact of the issue.