principal concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"principal concern" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It refers to the primary or most important issue or worry someone has about a particular topic or situation. Example: "The principal concern of the government is to address the rising unemployment rate." In this sentence, "principal concern" is used to indicate that the top priority or primary focus of the government is to address the problem of unemployment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The principal concern remains the oil itself.

The New York Times

That remains my principal concern".

The Guardian

Clement's principal concern was with his spiritual functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the diplomatic fallout is of principal concern to the US.

The Guardian

Thursday may be the rainiest day, Quinn said, and lightning may be the principal concern Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

Our principal concern, however, is with the reaction of the criminal element.

The New Yorker

But the principal concern could also prove the biggest hurdle – water supply.

The Guardian - Travel

But this book does not address its principal concern, power, until Jefferson has accrued some.

The New York Times - Books

Then, it was the ransom issue that was the principal concern.

The Economist

Preventing these attacks has been a principal concern of transplant science.

The New York Times

The missionaries made the conversion of the agrarian Huron their principal concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "principal concern" to clearly identify the most important issue when discussing complex situations or problems.

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal" (main) with "principle" (a fundamental truth or proposition). "The principle of fairness is important, but our "principal concern" is safety."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal concern" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most important worry, issue, or focus in a given context. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, such as business, politics, and personal matters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "principal concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the most significant issue or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse domains. Its function is to clearly identify the most important matter needing attention, with a register that leans towards neutral to formal. While alternatives like "main worry" or "primary focus" exist, "principal concern" offers a clear and direct way to highlight the issue that requires the most immediate consideration. Remember to distinguish "principal" from "principle" to avoid common writing errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main worry

Focuses on the worry aspect more than the importance.

chief anxiety

Emphasizes the anxiety or apprehension associated with the concern.

dominant issue

Highlights the prevailing or overriding nature of the issue.

primary focus

Highlights the area of concentration rather than the worry.

key issue

Draws attention to the subject matter more than the feeling.

foremost consideration

Emphasizes careful thought and deliberation about the concern.

major preoccupation

Implies a consuming or obsessive level of concern.

top priority

Focuses on the order of importance rather than the worry itself.

central problem

Highlights the problematic nature of the concern.

leading preoccupation

The meaning it's closer to a personal attitude.

FAQs

How to use "principal concern" in a sentence?

You can use "principal concern" to highlight the most important issue or worry in a given situation. For example, "The company's "principal concern" is the declining sales figures."

What can I say instead of "principal concern"?

You can use alternatives like "main worry", "chief anxiety", or "primary focus" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "principal concern" or "principle concern"?

"Principal concern" is correct when referring to the main concern. "Principle concern" is incorrect as "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition.

What's the difference between "major concern" and "principal concern"?

"Principal concern" implies the single most important concern, while "major concern" suggests one of several significant concerns.