preoccupying issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preoccupying issue" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when discussing a topic or concern that occupies one's thoughts or attention significantly. Example: "The preoccupying issue of climate change demands immediate action from all nations."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's clearly a preoccupying issue for the emerging New York City team.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In a year when movies were preoccupied by issues including race, class, homophobia and journalistic integrity, no matter who ends up with his mitts around the legs of Oscar, Hollywood clearly has a lot on its mind.

The New York Times

Denis Muller, a research consultant specialising in media ethics, calls him a member of "that ultra-conservative part of the commentariat which is preoccupied by issues of race".

Independent

Long's fiction is preoccupied by issues of identity and reproductive errors, and, as any amateur psychologist might suggest, could be related to the author's own history as an adopted child.

Independent

The Brexit campaign, preoccupied with issues of identity, also licensed the re-emergence among some locals of a latent xenophobia, according to Binnie Joshi Barr, a Huddersfield Town season ticket-holder who runs a fish-and-chip shop in the town.

The Guardian

Together they establish that Mies was preoccupied by issues that remain of architectural moment: historical awareness, urban context and architecture's role in defining the relationship between subjective perception and objective reality.

The New York Times - Arts

I never see it!' " Although Chomsky was brought up in a household preoccupied by issues of language — of Hebrew — he was not, as a child, enthralled by languages per se.

The New Yorker

We have, necessarily of course, been preoccupied with issues of blame, responsibility and cause in such disasters, almost as if we were following the examples of 18th-century sermons about the sea, as if catastrophes could be fully understood as the consequences of evil human actions or the violation of some deep principles of contemporary faith.

The New York Times - Arts

Conceptually, Oravecz is preoccupied with issues such as technology, female identity, and biology.

Vice

But whereas the '80s directors were preoccupied with issues of class and social status, today's filmmakers are questioning what's it like to grow up in the age of the Internet, helicopter parenting and the glorification of arrested development.

Los Angeles Times

"If you are preoccupied by issues like sexual assault or mass shootings and it is interfering with your daily life, take a break from the news or limit social media discussions," Evans said.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupying issue" when you want to convey that a particular matter is heavily on someone's mind or is a primary focus of attention. It's suitable for formal writing but consider stronger alternatives for impactful communication.

Common error

Avoid using "preoccupying issue" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main worry" or "big concern" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupying issue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "preoccupying" modifies the noun "issue". It describes a matter that dominates one's thoughts or attention. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is not commonly used, so alternatives should be considered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preoccupying issue" is a phrase used to describe a matter that significantly occupies one's thoughts or attention. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI notes that it's not the most common expression. Its formality lends itself more to news, encyclopedias, and formal writing. For more impactful communication in various contexts, consider alternatives like "pressing concern" or "major worry". Be mindful of the potential for the phrase to sound stilted in informal settings, and opt for simpler language when appropriate. Using this phrase skillfully can emphasize the importance or urgency of a topic, but overusing it may diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressing concern

Replaces "preoccupying" with "pressing", emphasizing the urgency of the issue.

chief concern

Similar to "pressing concern" but with a slightly different emphasis.

critical matter

Replaces "issue" with "matter", suggesting a subject of great importance.

major worry

Substitutes "issue" with "worry", indicating a significant cause for anxiety.

burning question

Indicates an urgent and critical issue.

central problem

Focuses on the issue as a core problem needing resolution.

primary focus

Highlights the issue as the main point of attention.

top priority

Highlights the issue as something that needs immediate attention.

dominant question

Emphasizes the issue as a key question that needs answering.

overriding theme

Presents the issue as a recurring and significant theme.

FAQs

What does "preoccupying issue" mean?

A "preoccupying issue" refers to a problem or subject that someone thinks or worries about frequently or constantly, holding their attention significantly.

What can I say instead of "preoccupying issue"?

You can use alternatives like "pressing concern", "major worry", or "central problem" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How formal is the term "preoccupying issue"?

The phrase "preoccupying issue" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, alternatives like "big concern" or "main worry" might be more appropriate.

Is "preoccupying issue" the same as "concerning issue"?

While similar, "preoccupying issue" suggests that the issue is constantly on one's mind, whereas "concerning issue" simply indicates that the issue is a cause for concern.