our first priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our first priority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the most important task or concern in a given context. Example: "Ensuring customer satisfaction is our first priority in this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A sign on the wall behind the desks said, "PLACING PUPPIES IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY".

The New Yorker

Safety remains our first priority".

The Guardian

Safety is our first priority.

The New York Times

"That's our first priority".

The New York Times

Our first priority is to save lives".

The Economist

Winning Group C is our first priority.

The Guardian - Sport

Saving lives must be our first priority".

The Guardian

Our first priority is health workers".

The Guardian

"Our first priority is to insure noninterference in the war".

The New York Times

"Brian's our first priority," Swindal said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Our first priority is a fight against poverty and exclusion".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "our first priority", clearly define who "our" refers to, ensuring the audience understands whose priorities are being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "our first priority" without specifying the context or scope. For instance, stating "our first priority is growth" is less effective than saying "for the next quarter, our first priority is sustainable growth in the Asian market".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our first priority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most important task, goal, or concern. As Ludwig AI shows, the examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from business to safety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "our first priority" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the most important task or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define "our" and ensure that actions align with the stated priority. Alternatives such as "our main priority" or "our top concern" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: highlighting what matters most.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our main priority

Replaces "first" with "main", emphasizing the primary importance.

our top priority

Substitutes "first" with "top", suggesting the highest level of importance.

our chief priority

Uses "chief" instead of "first", highlighting the leading or principal importance.

our primary concern

Shifts from "priority" to "concern", focusing on what is most worried about or attended to.

our utmost priority

Replaces "first" with "utmost", indicating the greatest possible importance.

what matters most to us

Expresses the idea by focusing on what is of greatest significance.

our key objective

Replaces "priority" with "objective", highlighting the main goal to be achieved.

our central focus

Changes from "priority" to "focus", emphasizing the main point of attention.

our overriding concern

Implies that concern takes precedence over all other concerns.

our fundamental goal

Changes "priority" to "goal", emphasizing the most essential aim.

FAQs

What does "our first priority" mean?

The phrase "our first priority" signifies the most important thing to consider or deal with before anything else, reflecting the immediate focus of a group or individual.

How can I use "our first priority" in a sentence?

You can use "our first priority" to emphasize the importance of a task or goal. For example: "Saving lives must be our first priority when responding to natural disasters.

What can I say instead of "our first priority"?

Alternatives to "our first priority" include "our main focus", "our top concern", or "what matters most to us", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "our first priority"?

While grammatically correct, using "our first priority" can be misleading if it's not genuinely the top priority or if it conflicts with actual decisions. Ensure actions align with stated priorities to maintain credibility.