my top concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my top concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your primary worry or priority regarding a particular issue or situation. Example: "In our meeting, I want to address my top concern about the project's timeline and its impact on our resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"My top concern right now," said Richard L. Hasen, a professor at Loyola Law School, "is that Ohio or Missouri or Florida is separated by a few thousand votes and there's a stack of provisional or absentee ballots to be counted".

The New York Times

"Obviously I am incredibly angry about this data breach and we will institute a thorough review of our relationship with Experian, but right now my top concern and first focus is assisting any and all consumers affected," wrote T-Mobile CEO John Legere in a blog post.

TechCrunch

His safety has never been my top concern while watching the Panthers play.

HuffPost

My top concern as a mother is losing innocent babies and so many mothers are dying in childbirth.

Huffington Post

"The health and safety of Montanans in the area impacted by this oil spill is my top concern," Bullock said in a statement.

Vice

"We had to go check because it didn't really occur to us". According to Lee, "It wasn't my top concern in any way". The recent boom in animated movies — 11 will get a wide theatrical release this year — has meant more opportunity.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Overcrowding is one of my top concerns," said Jerry Gutierrez, a chief deputy at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department who oversees the jails.

The New York Times

Today I'd like to explain why the unprecedented concentration of power in the American economy is among my top concerns as a Commissioner.

Columbia University

This has always been one of my top concerns along with climate change and plastic (and chemical) pollution of our oceans.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Before treatment, the severe AI group scored the item "I am concerned that the dentist is not really looking out for my best interests" as their top concern.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"When I talk to employees, the top concern they have is: 'What happens to my information?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my top concern", clearly state the specific issue you're referring to. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "my top concern" without specifying what that concern is. For example, instead of saying "My top concern is the project", specify "My top concern is the project's delayed timeline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my top concern" functions as a subject complement or appositive, identifying or further describing a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a speaker's primary worry or priority regarding a situation. The examples show it introducing a specific issue of importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my top concern" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a speaker's foremost worry or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify the exact issue you are referring to. Alternatives like "my main priority" or "my biggest worry" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my main priority

Replaces "concern" with "priority", emphasizing importance rather than worry.

my biggest worry

Substitutes "concern" with "worry", highlighting the anxiety aspect.

my primary focus

Replaces "concern" with "focus", shifting the emphasis to attention and concentration.

my chief concern

Uses "chief" instead of "top", conveying a similar meaning of highest importance.

what I'm most concerned about

Rephrases the expression into a clause, adding a slight emphasis.

my overriding concern

Uses "overriding" to indicate that the concern takes precedence over others.

the most important thing to me

Expresses importance in a more general and personal way.

the thing that matters most to me

Focuses on personal value and significance.

what's uppermost in my mind

Shifts the focus to thoughts and mental preoccupation.

my greatest source of anxiety

Highlights the emotional aspect of the concern, emphasizing anxiety.

FAQs

What does "my top concern" mean?

The phrase "my top concern" refers to the primary issue, worry, or priority that someone is currently focusing on. It indicates the matter of greatest importance to the speaker at a given time.

How can I use "my top concern" in a sentence?

You can use "my top concern" to introduce the most important issue you want to address. For example: "My top concern is the budget for this project" or "Safety is my top concern when operating this machinery."

What are some alternatives to "my top concern"?

Alternatives include "my main priority", "my biggest worry", or "my primary focus". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "top concern" and "main concern" are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. "Top concern" emphasizes the highest position in a list of concerns, while "main concern" emphasizes the central or principal concern. The choice often depends on personal preference.