primary worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the main concern or issue that someone is focused on or anxious about. Example: "Her primary worry was whether she would be able to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That was a primary worry of Mr. McDonald in the weeks after the storm.

The New York Times

Her primary worry is thinning hair, though this has not happened yet.

The New York Times - Magazine

Income is a primary worry for those who have lost their jobs or land.

The New York Times

Debt shouldn't be our primary worry; just where growth will come from for the mass of Britons must be.

The Guardian - Opinion

What that other 20percentt might amount to was my primary worry — plus what all the á la carte items might cost.

The New York Times

Romney's primary worry is that America will become "the France of the 21st century — still a great country, but no longer the world's leading nation".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

As the end of graduate school drew near, my primary worry--and that of all my contemporaries--was what was coming next.

Science Magazine

He noted that members of the military and their families are under "increasing stress," ranking finances as second on their list of primary worries, behind only "work and career concerns".

Huffington Post

Gov. Jeb Bush is running unopposed and so does not have to participate in a primary or worry about possible voter confusion, at least not until November.

The New York Times

"Nobody has done more than Haley to build the Republican Party over the last three decades," said former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is planning to run for the GOP nomination and now has one less rival in the primary to worry about.

Huffington Post

So if you want to re-litigate the 2016 primary without worrying about gender politics, this is the Democratic primary for you! 2016: Clinton 42 Trump 53 2012: Obama 46 Romney 54 2008: Obama 48 51.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "primary worry", ensure it clearly identifies the most significant concern among multiple potential issues. This helps to focus attention and resources effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "primary worry" when the concern is not truly the most important. Using it for a minor issue can diminish the impact of the phrase and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary worry" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "primary" modifies the noun "worry". It identifies the foremost concern or source of anxiety, as Ludwig shows in its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary worry" effectively conveys the most significant concern or source of anxiety in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and readily understood. While alternatives like "main concern" or "chief concern" exist, "primary worry" offers a clear and direct way to highlight the foremost issue. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Ensure that when using this phrase, the identified worry genuinely represents the most significant concern to maintain clarity and avoid misdirection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main concern

Replaces "primary" with "main", emphasizing the principal issue.

chief concern

Substitutes "primary" with "chief", highlighting the most important concern.

principal worry

Uses "principal" instead of "primary", indicating the foremost worry.

biggest concern

Replaces "primary" with "biggest", emphasizing the magnitude of the concern.

major worry

Substitutes "primary" with "major", highlighting the significant worry.

foremost concern

Uses "foremost" instead of "primary", indicating the most prominent concern.

top priority

Shifts from worry to priority, focusing on the most important thing to address.

main preoccupation

Replaces "worry" with "preoccupation", indicating a dominant thought or concern.

greatest apprehension

Substitutes "worry" with "apprehension", suggesting a feeling of anxiety or fear.

central anxiety

Uses "central anxiety" to emphasize the core source of unease.

FAQs

How can I use "primary worry" in a sentence?

You can use "primary worry" to indicate the most significant concern. For example, "Her primary worry was whether she would meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "primary worry"?

Alternatives include "main concern", "chief concern", or "biggest concern", depending on the context.

Is "primary worry" the same as "secondary worry"?

No, "primary worry" refers to the most important concern, while "secondary worry" refers to a less significant or subordinate concern.

When is it appropriate to use "primary worry" in writing?

Use "primary worry" when you want to emphasize that a particular concern is the most important or pressing issue among several possibilities. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.