my chief worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my chief worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your primary concern or anxiety about a particular issue or situation. Example: "As I prepare for the upcoming presentation, my chief worry is whether I will be able to engage the audience effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

My chief worry isn't being gassed, though; it's the weather.

The Guardian

My chief worry now is that history seems bound to repeat itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is, perhaps, my chief remaining worry.

BBC

The third chief worry involves burn beds.

The New York Times

A chief worry is the low-slung crafts' visibility.

The New York Times

The chief worry is that such people will leave in the general disenchantment of recession.

The Economist

Their chief worry is Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the veteran PiS leader and a former prime minister.

The Economist

The government's chief worry, though, seems to be containing inflation and managing growth.

The New York Times

The prospect that exhaustion might eventually strike overstretched households is still the chief worry hanging over the American economy.

The Economist

Their chief worry was that the turbines would be manufactured in Shenyang, China, rather than in the United States.

The New York Times

Commanders say that their chief worry is that the equipment and supplies will not arrive in sync with the troops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my chief worry", ensure that you clearly articulate the specific reason for your concern to avoid ambiguity. Context is essential for conveying the weight of your anxiety.

Common error

Avoid using "my chief worry" to introduce trivial concerns. This phrase implies a significant level of anxiety, so reserve it for matters of genuine importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my chief worry" functions as a subjective expression of concern or anxiety. It introduces the speaker's or writer's most pressing preoccupation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my chief worry" is a phrase used to express a significant concern, considered grammatically correct and usable according to Ludwig AI. While its occurrence is relatively rare, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "my main concern" or "my biggest fear" offer similar meanings but with varying degrees of intensity. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants a serious level of concern and clearly articulate the specific reason for your anxiety. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your worries and engage your audience in a meaningful way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My main concern

Replaces "chief" with "main", indicating a primary but possibly not the sole worry.

My biggest fear

Emphasizes fear rather than general worry.

My primary anxiety

Uses a more clinical term for worry, suggesting a deeper level of unease.

What I'm most concerned about

Rephrases the worry as a matter of concern, softening the emotional impact.

A major worry of mine

Indicates a significant worry without necessarily being the most important.

My overriding concern

Suggests that the concern is more important than any other.

The thing I worry about most

Focuses directly on the act of worrying and what triggers it.

My principal apprehension

Uses a more formal and slightly weaker term than "fear".

The main thing that concerns me

Emphasizes the concern as the primary issue affecting the speaker.

Something that is always on my mind

Highlights the constant, persistent nature of the worry.

FAQs

What does "my chief worry" mean?

The phrase "my chief worry" signifies your primary or most significant concern. It highlights the worry that is uppermost in your mind.

How to use "my chief worry" in a sentence?

You can use "my chief worry" to introduce the main concern in a situation. For example: "As I prepare for the presentation, "my chief worry" is whether I can engage the audience effectively."

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

You can use alternatives like "my main concern", "my biggest fear", or "what I'm most concerned about" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "my chief worry" in formal writing?

Yes, "my chief worry" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing serious concerns or analyses. However, consider "my primary anxiety" if a more clinical tone is needed.