primary concern was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary concern was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main issue or focus of a situation or discussion. Example: "The primary concern was the safety of the workers during the construction process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Their primary concern was their children's futures.

The Guardian

Back then, the primary concern was hospital costs.

The New York Times

Lederer's primary concern was not policy but practicality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our primary concern was the potential side effects that our daughter may face.

Stanford University

But Mr. Kelly said his primary concern was quality, not quantity.

The New York Times

Senior management's primary concern was that the loans it originated could be sold to Wall Street.

The New Yorker

"Our primary concern was user-friendliness for the dispatchers," said Capt.

The New York Times

Before John's journey, my primary concern was not any risk I was taking in helping him.

The Guardian - Opinion

On defense, Edwards said his primary concern was how well players tackled.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, Europe's primary concern was still the economic integration symbolized by the euro.

The New York Times

For emergency officials a primary concern was the anticipated widespread flooding.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that it's followed by a clear explanation of what the concern was and why it was significant to provide adequate context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "primary concern was" when referring to a minor or secondary issue; reserve it for the most critical or pressing matter to maintain its impact and significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary concern was" functions as an introductory phrase to highlight the most significant issue, worry, or priority within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary concern was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to highlight the most significant issue or worry in a given context. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is versatile, appearing in various sources, including news media, academic papers, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "main priority was" or "chief worry was" exist, "primary concern was" effectively conveys the central focus of attention. When employing this phrase, ensure that the concern's scope aligns with its importance and is clearly explained to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main priority was

Focuses on the element of priority, emphasizing what was most important.

chief worry was

Highlights the element of worry, suggesting the biggest source of anxiety.

principal focus was

Emphasizes the main point of attention or concentration.

major issue was

Identifies the most significant problem or challenge.

key objective was

Focuses on the goal that was of utmost importance.

top priority was

Stresses the ranking of importance, placing it at the highest level.

central question was

Highlights the core inquiry or matter to be resolved.

overriding consideration was

Indicates a factor that took precedence over all others.

foremost aim was

Emphasizes the primary intention or goal.

biggest fear was

Focuses on the most significant apprehension or dread.

FAQs

How can I use "primary concern was" in a sentence?

Use "primary concern was" to introduce the most important issue or worry in a given context. For example, "The company's "primary concern was" maintaining profitability during the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "primary concern was"?

You can use alternatives like "main priority was", "chief worry was", or "principal focus was" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "primary concern was" in formal writing?

Yes, "primary concern was" is suitable for formal writing as it is a clear and direct way to express the most important issue. However, ensure the surrounding language maintains a formal tone.

What is the difference between "primary concern was" and "a concern was"?

"Primary concern was" indicates the most important issue, while "a concern was" suggests that the issue was one of several worries, but not necessarily the most important.