of highest concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of highest concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is of great importance or urgency. Example: "The safety of our employees is of highest concern during this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But several laws have been passed in recent years in the areas of highest concern to voters.

The New York Times

In 19 of the 40 countries polled, climate change was found to be the issue of highest concern.

The Guardian

Twenty miles out, roughly the area of highest concern identified by Japanese authorities, includes almost a million people.

The New York Times

The prioritisation was for substances with a CMR profile as generally these hazards are considered to constitute the properties of highest concern for humans.

Nature

For the next decade, the global water crisis remains the risk of highest concern, and ranks ahead of climate change, extreme weather events, food crises and social instability.

Science of The Total Environment

A lawmaker who has been critical of the State Department breaches, Representative Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman of the International Relations Committee, said that if the allegations were correct, they were "a matter of highest concern".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Most residents were not aware that mosquitoes transmit dog heartworm, but it was of high concern to them.

Cornell University

Recovery of precious metal ions from waste effluents is of high concern.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Non-point source pollution as a result of wine-growing activity is of high concern.

Water Research

The Normalized and Weighed Average Concentrations (NWAC's) were also calculated to identify areas of higher concern.

Marine Chemistry

Some issues of high concern such as biosafety and public health are also discussed.

Acta Genetica Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of highest concern", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being prioritized or worried about. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "of highest concern" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "top priority" or "chief concern" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of highest concern" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause. It indicates that something is of paramount importance or worry. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of highest concern" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to emphasize extreme importance or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not the most frequent phrase, it appears across authoritative sources like The New York Times and Science Magazine, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. For writers, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, considering synonyms like "chief concern" or "top priority" for variety and clarity, and being sure the context is well defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief concern

Highlights the main issue of concern.

prime importance

Synonymous, but slightly more formal.

paramount importance

Emphasizes the supreme importance.

utmost importance

Highlights the importance rather than the concern.

greatest worry

Specifically highlights the level of worry.

most worrying

Focuses on the aspect of worry or anxiety.

principal worry

Emphasizes the worry element.

top priority

Indicates that something should be dealt with first.

most pressing issue

Highlights the urgency and need for immediate attention.

major issue

Simplifies the concern to a problem or matter.

FAQs

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

Use "of highest concern" to emphasize the importance or urgency of a particular issue. For instance, "The environmental impact is "of highest concern" to the community".

What phrases can I use instead of "of highest concern"?

You can use alternatives like "utmost importance", "top priority", or "chief concern" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "of high concern" or "of highest concern"?

While both are grammatically correct, ""of highest concern"" intensifies the degree of concern. Use "of high concern" for general situations and "of highest concern" when emphasizing extreme importance.

What is the difference between "of highest concern" and "most concerning"?

"Of highest concern" is a phrase that emphasizes the level of importance or worry associated with something. "Most concerning" is a more direct adjective phrase. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and sentence structure.