prime concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prime concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to express something that is the utmost priority or the most important thing in a particular situation. For example: "The prime concern for our team is to ensure the safety of all our staff during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overbuilding is not a prime concern.

The New York Times

For me, that is the prime concern.

The Guardian

Scrap sites remain a prime concern.

The Guardian

Unemployment should be our prime concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not a prime concern of the regulator.

Independent

Security remains the prime concern of internet shoppers.

The Economist

Already, these forces of resistance have become Brenner's prime concern.

The New Yorker

Ms. Pelosi's ideology shouldn't be the Democrats' prime concern.

The New York Times

Interesting, but really not my prime concern, I thought.

The New York Times

But Bennett's prime concern is with how history actually happens.

The Guardian

Their prime concern is so-called conveyor-belt abortions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use "prime concern" to clearly and concisely convey the highest priority or worry. This can improve clarity and focus in your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "prime concern" when a simpler term like "important consideration" suffices. Overusing it dilutes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prime concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig's analysis indicates its correct usage across various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prime concern" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase that signifies the highest level of importance or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news, scientific, and business contexts. While synonyms like "top priority" and "chief concern" exist, "prime concern" effectively conveys the urgency and significance of an issue. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid over-generalization. The phrase is a valuable asset in professional and academic writing, when precision and clarity are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top priority

Switches from a concern to a direct statement of priority, implying immediate action.

main priority

Replaces "prime" with "main", offering a slightly less emphatic version of the original phrase.

chief concern

Substitutes "prime" with "chief", indicating the highest-ranking concern.

foremost concern

Uses "foremost" to emphasize that the concern is at the front or head of all concerns.

primary focus

Shifts from a concern to a focus, suggesting a deliberate concentration of effort.

central issue

Frames the concern as an issue, often implying a problem needing resolution.

key consideration

Highlights the concern as something essential to consider when making decisions.

major consideration

Emphasizes the significance of the consideration, similar to "prime concern" but slightly less intense.

principal worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", underscoring the anxiety or apprehension associated with the issue.

overriding objective

Indicates that the objective takes precedence over all others, changing the context to one of goals rather than worries.

FAQs

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

Use "prime concern" to indicate the most important issue or priority in a given situation. For example, "The patient's safety is the doctor's "prime concern"".

What are some alternatives to "prime concern"?

Alternatives include "top priority", "chief concern", or "main priority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a prime concern of" or "the prime concern of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "the "prime concern" of" is more common when referring to a specific, identified concern. "A "prime concern" of" might be used when discussing one of several major concerns.

What's the difference between "prime concern" and "important issue"?

"Prime concern" implies the highest level of importance, suggesting something that demands immediate attention, while "important issue" indicates something of significant but not necessarily urgent importance. Think of it like this: "Addressing climate change is an important issue", while "Ensuring access to clean water is a "prime concern"".