of utmost concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of utmost concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is extremely important or troubling. Example: "The safety of our employees is of utmost concern to the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Dignity was of utmost concern.

The Guardian

Efficiency is of utmost concern.

The New York Times

Securing the new Christian territories was now of utmost concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Any collaboration with the FARC by an individual or organization is of utmost concern to us".

The New York Times

Resort owner Jim Justice said the needs of flood-ravaged West Virginians were of utmost concern.

The Guardian

Still, Mr. Bout's health was of utmost concern to his wife.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"The protection of children is of the utmost concern to me and my brother bishops.

The New York Times

"The health board wishes to reassure patients and the public that the safety of our services are always of our utmost concern and are confident that the safety of patients was not compromised on that evening [Monday, 4 February]," said the board in a statement.

BBC

The health and safety of our patients are of our utmost concern".

Huffington Post

At the Johns Hopkins University, the welfare of our community is of the utmost concern, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy campus environment.

Huffington Post

All of this should be of the utmost concern to anyone who takes pride in a free internet and is worried about it being recklessly monitored by the US government and their private intelligence contractors.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of utmost concern", ensure that the context clearly indicates whose concern it is and why. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

While "of utmost concern" is appropriate for formal writing, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal communications. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "very important" or "a big worry" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of utmost concern" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or clause. It emphasizes the high degree of importance or worry associated with a particular subject. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of utmost concern" is a powerful expression used to convey a high degree of importance or worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in formal contexts like news, science, and business. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, opting for simpler language in informal settings. Alternatives such as "of paramount importance" or "critically important" can provide variety while maintaining a similar impact. By understanding its nuances and context-appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate the significance of critical issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of paramount importance

Substitutes "utmost" with "paramount", indicating supreme importance.

a major cause for worry

Changes the adjective to "major" and uses the noun "worry" instead of "concern".

a significant source of anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "utmost" with "significant", shifting the focus to a feeling of unease.

critically important

Uses an adjective phrase instead of a prepositional phrase, highlighting the importance directly.

a top priority

Emphasizes that something needs immediate attention and resources.

highly alarming

Focuses on the alarming nature of the situation, expressing a high degree of worry.

needs immediate attention

Focuses on the urgency of addressing the issue.

demands serious consideration

Highlights the need for careful and thorough evaluation.

a matter of urgency

Replaces "concern" with "urgency", focusing on the time-sensitive nature of the issue.

essential to address

Highlights the necessity of dealing with the issue.

FAQs

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

Use "of utmost concern" to highlight something that is extremely important or worrying. For example, "The safety of our patients is of utmost concern."

What can I say instead of "of utmost concern"?

You can use alternatives like "of paramount importance", "critically important", or "a top priority" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "of utmost concern" or "very important"?

"Of utmost concern" carries a stronger sense of urgency and worry than "very important", making it suitable for serious situations. Use "very important" in more general contexts.

What's the difference between "of utmost concern" and "of great concern"?

"Of utmost concern" implies a higher level of importance and worry compared to "of great concern". "Utmost" signifies the highest degree, while "great" simply means significant.