my chief concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my chief concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the primary issue or matter that is most important to you in a given context. Example: "In this project, my chief concern is ensuring that we meet the deadline without compromising quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This time, I was my chief concern.

The New York Times

My chief concern is not my hair, but my hairline.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My chief concern was the crack and rumble in the very hills we were approaching.

The New York Times - Travel

"The security of Israel's citizens is my chief concern and we will know how to defend the security of our people".

Independent

But my chief concern is not a handful of anthrax letters, or even a hypothetical mass mailing of 10,000 anthrax letters.

MIT Technology Review

PHILIP GOUREVITCH: Again — my chief concern was that the photos should not be released as an official act, as what the Daily News called a "photo finish" to the killing of Bin Laden.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

One of my chief concerns is always consistency and clarity in the marketplace — you can't have something that big sitting out there without responding to it," he said.

The Washington Post

My two chief concerns, overly simplistic thesis statements and arguments insufficiently grounded in the details of the text, were, to my mind, related.

University of California, Berkeley

Indonesia is the chief concern.

The Economist

Their chief concern was to maximize spectacle.

The New Yorker

Israel's chief concern is military security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my chief concern" when you want to clearly state your most important worry or priority in a situation. It adds a slightly formal tone, suitable for professional or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "my chief concern" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday situations. Simpler phrases like "my main worry" or "what I'm most concerned about" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my chief concern" functions as a subject complement, identifying the speaker's primary worry or priority. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my chief concern" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express one's primary worry or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for formal and professional contexts, it might sound stilted in casual conversations. Alternatives like "my main concern" or "my biggest worry" can be used for less formal settings. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science, highlighting its relevance in discussing important issues. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the tone and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my main concern

Replaces "chief" with "main", offering a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

my primary concern

Substitutes "chief" with "primary", emphasizing the concern's importance.

my biggest worry

Uses "worry" instead of "concern", framing it as anxiety.

my greatest concern

Replaces "chief" with "greatest", highlighting the magnitude of the concern.

my top priority

Shifts the focus to prioritization rather than worry, indicating what is most important.

what concerns me most

Changes the structure to emphasize personal feeling.

what I'm most concerned about

More verbose rephrasing, still focused on personal anxiety.

my central preoccupation

Uses "preoccupation" to suggest an absorbing concern, slightly stronger than 'concern'.

the most pressing issue for me

Frames it as a "pressing issue", suggesting urgency and importance.

my overriding consideration

Implies that this concern takes precedence over others.

FAQs

What does "my chief concern" mean?

The phrase "my chief concern" means your main or most important worry, issue, or priority. It indicates what you are most focused on or troubled by.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "my chief concern"?

It's suitable for formal settings, professional communications, or serious discussions where you want to clearly express your primary worry or priority. In casual settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable.

What can I say instead of "my chief concern"?

You can use alternatives like "my main concern", "my primary concern", or "my biggest worry" depending on the context.

How does "my chief concern" differ from "my concern"?

Adding "chief" emphasizes that it is your most important concern, distinguishing it from other, less significant worries or issues. "My concern" is a more general statement of worry or interest.