my first priority

USAGE SUMMARY

'my first priority' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize what you believe is most important in a particular situation. For example: "My first priority is to finish this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

My first priority is developing simple and memorable symbols.

The Guardian - Tech

"But then Tottenham became my first priority.

The New York Times

But it's not my first priority".

Independent

That has to be my first priority".

The New York Times

My first priority in defence is Nato.

The Guardian

My readers are my first priority, always.

The New Yorker

My first priority is to get Americans back to work.

University of California, Berkeley

"My first priority is to protect our members' jobs.

The New York Times

"My first priority was to the kids themselves," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"My first priority is to modernize Serbia, starting above all with the economy," he said.

The New York Times

"My first priority is to come in and listen," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my first priority" to clearly and directly state your most important objective or concern in both formal and informal communication. This ensures clarity and focus in your message.

Common error

Avoid using "my first priority" without specifying what the priority actually is. Ensure the context clearly indicates the subject of your focus to prevent ambiguity and maintain clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first priority" functions as a subject complement or predicate nominative. It identifies or describes the subject by stating what the speaker or writer considers to be of utmost importance. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for general use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my first priority" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing what is most important to you in a given situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and business settings. Key alternatives include "my primary concern" and "my chief aim", which offer slightly different nuances while maintaining a similar meaning. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying exactly what your priority is. By heeding these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your focus and intent in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my utmost priority

Adds "utmost" to intensify the importance of the priority.

my primary concern

Replaces "priority" with "concern", focusing on the element of worry or importance.

my top concern

Replaces "priority" with "concern", also uses top which indicates the highest importance.

my main focus

Replaces priority with focus, shifting to intented focus.

my chief aim

Substitutes "priority" with "aim", emphasizing the intended outcome or goal.

what matters most to me

Rephrases the sentence to highlight personal values and significance.

the most important thing for me

Emphasizes the degree of importance placed on something by the speaker.

what I consider paramount

Uses "paramount" to denote the supreme importance of something.

the first thing I'm focusing on

Highlights the sequential aspect of addressing issues, starting with the most important.

my initial task

Emphasizes the first action to be taken, framing it as a responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "my first priority" in a sentence?

You can use "my first priority" to emphasize what you consider most important. For example, you might say, "My first priority is to finish this project on time" or "My first priority is the safety of my family".

What are some alternatives to saying "my first priority"?

Alternatives include phrases like "my primary concern", "my chief aim", or "what matters most to me", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "my first priority is to" or "my first priority is doing"?

Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the context. "My first priority is to [verb]" is used when you want to express an action or goal. "My first priority is [doing]" can be used when you want to express an activity. For example, "My first priority is to finish the report" versus "My first priority is ensuring everyone understands the changes".

What's the difference between "my first priority" and "my top priority"?

Both phrases indicate something of high importance, but "my first priority" often implies a chronological order or sequence of actions, whereas "my top priority" simply indicates the highest level of importance among several competing concerns.