our top priority

USAGE SUMMARY

'our top priority' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of something to a group or organization. For example, "Making sure our employees feel safe and secure is our top priority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Safety is our top priority," he said.

The New York Times

They are our top priority.

The Guardian - Money

It will always be our top priority".

The Guardian

He said: Safety remains our top priority.

The Guardian

Giving children a happy childhood should be our top priority".

The Guardian

"Our top priority is to bring Gilad home," Barak said.

The Guardian

Force protection is our top priority on the intelligence committee.

The New York Times

"Safety is our top priority," Ms. Suydam added.

The New York Times

Keeping our children and society safe remains our top priority.

The Guardian

"We wouldn't shortchange them; they're our top priority".

The New York Times - Arts

"Our top priority is the watershed," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, follow it with a specific and actionable explanation of what that priority entails. For instance, "Our top priority is customer satisfaction, which we will achieve through improved response times and personalized support."

Common error

Avoid stating "our top priority" without outlining concrete steps to address it. For example, instead of simply saying 'Our top priority is safety,' specify the measures being taken to ensure safety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our top priority" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It typically indicates the most important concern or objective of a group, organization, or individual, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "our top priority" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that serves to emphasize the importance of a particular goal or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports and formal announcements to business communications. The phrase is particularly effective when followed by specific actions or explanations that clarify how the priority will be addressed. While its meaning is straightforward, overuse without concrete details can diminish its impact. Therefore, it's essential to provide context and actionable steps when using this phrase to ensure clarity and credibility. According to Ludwig's examples, several authoritative sources use the phrase in multiple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our number one goal

Expresses the idea of having a singular, overarching objective.

our main focus

Focuses on the primary area of attention or effort rather than a strict order of importance.

our primary aim

Stresses the main intention or goal that guides actions and decisions.

our key objective

Highlights the specific goal that is considered most important to achieve.

our chief concern

Emphasizes the aspect that causes the most worry or attention.

our highest concern

Similar to "our top priority" but places more emphasis on worry and care.

our foremost responsibility

Highlights the most important duty or obligation.

our principal task

Emphasizes the most important action or duty that needs to be performed.

the most important thing for us

A more verbose way of saying "our top priority", emphasizing importance.

what we value most

Indicates the thing that is held in highest esteem or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "our top priority" to emphasize what is most important to you or your organization. For example, "Our top priority is ensuring customer satisfaction." Another usage example, "Our top priority is the safety of our students".

What phrases can I use instead of "our top priority"?

You can use phrases like "our main focus", "our key objective", or "our chief concern" as alternatives to "our top priority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "our top priority" or "our highest priority"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Our top priority" is generally more common, but "our highest priority" can be used for added emphasis.

What's the difference between "our top priority" and "our main goal"?

"Our top priority" implies a ranking of importance among several concerns, whereas "our main goal" refers specifically to the primary objective you are trying to achieve. For example, the top priority could be the main goal for the moment but the main goal can be something that take a longer time.