overarching concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overarching concern" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a primary focus or principal subject of attention. For example, "The overarching concern of this research project is climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Rather, it is the entire reorganization and homogenization of the sea that is of overarching concern.

The New York Times - Magazine

I knew that she was building him up, buttressing him with both genuine admiration and her own brand of anxious braggadocio, and that her overarching concern was that I might fail to see him as she wished me to — in the most dawning light, his pose steadfast and solitary.

The New Yorker

Keith B. Hembre, the chief economist and chief investment strategist at Nuveen Asset Management, said it was difficult to tie the day's market movements to what was going on in Europe but said there was "overarching concern in my view" considering that there had been strong demand for the E.C.B. funding program, suggesting that banks margins could be pinched.

The New York Times

Both the search for the truth and the right to vote are of paramount importance, but they are circumscribed by a higher, overarching concern the general welfare of our democracy.... Inherent in the law are the basic concepts of fairness, reliability, and predictability; and the constitutional safeguards of due process and equal protection were designed to promote these interests.

The New York Times

Their overarching concern is about the lack of migrant voices in stories.

The Guardian

But my overarching concern, as I wrote at the end, is how unequal American society has become in the past three decades.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

And what we found were overarching concerns like racism and gender issues that were universal, but the means of artistic manifestation were individual," the Rubells explain.

Vice

When asked to freely respond on their answer choices, physicians' overarching concerns remained safety issues that were not necessarily offset by the benefits to the patient.

Plosone

Overarching concerns were (a) inadequate preparation for open disclosure, (b) inappropriate disclosure of unexpected outcomes, (c) lack of follow-up support, (d) lack of appropriate closure, and (e) insufficient integration of open disclosure with improvement of patient safety.

British Medical Journal

Although the ATM policy agenda was first set by the experts of WHO, and the policy was planned by local politicians and expert advisers (10, 17, 20), with a limited role of the populace, an important factor for the index scoring of this policy as a supportive policy has been addressing an issue of overarching community concern and empowering potential (18, 21, 22).

Global Health Action

The DiPS also organized bi-monthly zonal group sessions for the 8 12 CBSVs within a zone to discuss overarching community concerns and problem-solve around them.

Health Policy and Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overarching concern", ensure it accurately reflects the most important issue, not just a relevant one. The phrase carries weight, so use it when an issue truly dominates the context.

Common error

Avoid using "overarching concern" to describe trivial matters. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the concern genuinely has a broad and significant impact. Using it for smaller issues dilutes its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overarching concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies the most significant issue or worry in a given context. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overarching concern" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes the most important or primary worry in a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and it's suitable for various writing styles, especially formal and professional. The phrase is most frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and business documents. Related phrases include "primary concern" and "chief concern". When using this phrase, it's best to ensure it accurately reflects the most significant issue at hand, avoiding its use for minor or trivial matters. The sources indicate its widespread use across authoritative publications, reinforcing its reliability and appropriateness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary concern

Emphasizes the concern as the most important, without necessarily implying it encompasses all others.

chief concern

Highlights the concern as the principal one, suggesting it's the main focus.

main concern

Indicates the concern is the most significant, differing slightly in tone.

principal concern

A more formal way of saying main concern, suggesting a key consideration.

foremost concern

Highlights the concern that comes before all others in importance.

dominant concern

Suggests the concern has the most influence or power.

preeminent concern

Implies the concern is superior or outstanding compared to others.

central worry

Replaces concern with worry, focusing on the anxiety aspect.

overriding preoccupation

Substitutes concern with preoccupation, suggesting a state of being absorbed by the worry.

prevailing anxiety

Indicates the anxiety is widespread or generally present.

FAQs

How can I use "overarching concern" in a sentence?

You can use "overarching concern" to highlight the most important issue in a situation. For example, "The "overarching concern" is the safety of the residents."

What's a good alternative to "overarching concern"?

Alternatives include "primary concern", "main concern", or "principal concern" depending on the specific context.

Is "overarching concern" formal or informal?

"Overarching concern" is suitable for formal and professional contexts. It's frequently used in news, academic writing, and business reports.

What is the difference between "overarching concern" and "general concern"?

"Overarching concern" refers to the most important or encompassing worry, while "general concern" indicates a worry that's widespread but not necessarily the most critical.