our chief preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our chief preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the primary concern or focus of a person or group. Example: "In our discussions, our chief preoccupation has been the impact of climate change on future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The show's organizing theme and chief preoccupation is motherhood and child rearing.

The New York Times - Arts

The chief preoccupation of Johanan and his students was the study and continuing development of the Law (Halakha).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In East Asia, Mrs. Nelson added, SARS, not war, is the chief preoccupation.

The New York Times

Mr. Saizman's chief preoccupation as a composer these days is a mixed‐media performJog group called QUOG.

The New York Times

In fact, maintaining the sound and structure of that room was initially the chief preoccupation of the designers.

The New York Times

All of the speculation, which has hit DefCom 4, actually threatens to overtake the Oscars as Hollywood's chief preoccupation.

The New York Times

The chief preoccupation of middle-class Americans is not the dream of getting ahead, it is the fear of falling behind.

The New York Times

The low-key management style of the young, new team director, Eric Boullier, shows that he takes racing as his chief preoccupation.

The New York Times - Sports

In her charming and smart "Cooking for Mr. Latte," Amanda Hesser looks at Manhattan courtship through the lens of her profession and chief preoccupation: food.

The New York Times - Books

He grew up in a colonial family in what is now Zambia, where the grownups' chief preoccupation was adultery, leaving him free to bury himself in books.

The Guardian - Books

These lines establish the album's chief preoccupation, the passage of time, and call to mind the older, less familiar definition of "anecdotes": items kept secret, unrecorded, and possibly destined to be forgotten, like the village of Sapokanikan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "our chief preoccupation", ensure it clearly reflects the most significant concern or focus of the group you are representing. Avoid using it for minor or secondary issues.

Common error

Avoid using "our chief preoccupation" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "our main focus" or "what we're mostly thinking about" for better clarity and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our chief preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary concern or focus of a group. While Ludwig doesn't provide direct examples, the phrase combines a possessive pronoun with an adjective and a noun to act as a subject or object within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our chief preoccupation" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the primary focus or concern of a group. While there are no direct examples available in Ludwig, it's understood that the phrase is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts and aims to clearly communicate the most important issue at hand. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our main focus

Replaces "chief preoccupation" with a more common synonym for focus.

our primary concern

Substitutes "preoccupation" with "concern", highlighting worry or interest.

what we're mostly focused on

Simplifies the phrasing to a more conversational tone.

the central point of our attention

Emphasizes the idea of attention being directed towards something.

our biggest worry

Highlights the element of anxiety or concern associated with the preoccupation.

our foremost interest

Replaces "preoccupation" with "interest", suggesting a keen attention or curiosity.

the thing we think about the most

Simplifies the phrase to describe the act of thinking frequently.

our top priority

Emphasizes the importance and ranking of the preoccupation.

the key issue for us

Highlights the problem or matter of greatest importance.

what matters most to us

Shifts the focus to the value and significance of the preoccupation.

FAQs

How can I use "our chief preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "our chief preoccupation" to introduce a primary concern or focus. For example: "Our chief preoccupation is ensuring the safety of our employees."

What are some alternatives to "our chief preoccupation"?

You can use alternatives like "our main focus", "our primary concern", or "our biggest worry" depending on the context.

Is "our chief preoccupation" formal or informal?

"Our chief preoccupation" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "our main concern" may be more appropriate.

What does "our chief preoccupation" mean?

"Our chief preoccupation" means the main thing that we are thinking about or concerned with; it signifies our top priority or central interest.