of greatest concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"of greatest concern" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is the most important or worrying aspect of a situation. Example: The rising sea levels are of greatest concern for coastal communities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The possible externality of greatest concern may be national defense.

The New York Times

Of greatest concern was consumption of junk foods.

The Guardian

Imported foods are the focus of greatest concern.

The New York Times

"We identified the four species of greatest concern".

The New York Times - Food

We will make funds available for similar inspections in areas of greatest concern," he said.

Independent

However, American self-sufficiency in oil is of greatest concern to the European Union.

The New York Times

Among the former, smoking prevention and cessation, alcoholism, osteoporosis, and heart disease were of greatest concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mycotoxins of greatest concern are aflatoxins, which can infect nuts, peanuts, corn, and wheat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of greatest concern to Manis was that the patient was getting worse.

The New York Times - Magazine

The countries of greatest concern include Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia and Nigeria.

The New York Times

Perhaps the area of greatest concern is Hartford's murder rate, which has soared this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of greatest concern", clearly identify the subject or situation to which the concern applies to ensure clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "of greatest concern" repeatedly within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "primary concern" or "most pressing issue" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of greatest concern" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating the most significant area of worry or attention. Ludwig's examples show it frequently introduces the subject of primary focus within a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of greatest concern" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the paramount importance or worry associated with a particular issue. It is grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig, commonly used in written English across a variety of contexts including science, news media, and formal business. While "of greatest concern" is most appropriate for formal and scientific writing, remember to vary your language to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives such as "primary concern" or "most pressing issue". Be sure to always provide context to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary concern

Simplifies the phrase by removing the superlative "greatest".

central issue

Highlights the centrality of the issue in a discussion or situation.

most worrying

Focuses on the worrying aspect rather than the level of importance.

major apprehension

Replaces "concern" with a more formal synonym, "apprehension".

most pressing issue

Highlights the urgency of the concern.

main worry

Uses more informal language, replacing "concern" with "worry".

paramount importance

Emphasizes the high level of importance, rather than worry.

chief anxiety

Uses "anxiety" to convey worry or unease instead of concern.

top priority

Shifts the focus to importance and action rather than worry.

foremost consideration

Focuses on the act of considering something as the most important thing.

FAQs

How can I use "of greatest concern" in a sentence?

You can use "of greatest concern" to highlight the most worrying or important aspect of a situation. For example, "The environmental impact of the new factory is of greatest concern to local residents."

What are some alternatives to "of greatest concern"?

Alternatives include "primary concern", "main worry", or "top priority" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "of greatest concern" or "biggest concern"?

"Of greatest concern" is generally more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "biggest concern" is more informal and appropriate for casual conversation or less formal contexts.

How does "of greatest concern" differ from "of great concern"?

"Of greatest concern" emphasizes that something is the most important or worrying, whereas "of great concern" simply indicates that something is very important or worrying but not necessarily the most significant.