principal interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal interest" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the main or most important interest or concern in a particular situation or context. Example: My principal interest in this project is to improve customer satisfaction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Zuni remained her principal interest, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PITI — Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance.

The Washington Post

"Remember, agriculture was his principal interest," Mr. Rubinfine said.

The New York Times - Arts

Popov's principal interest was in staging more overtly propagandistic pieces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Polly admires the setting but his principal interest is "Provinder... Cold sirloin for choice.

The Guardian - Books

His principal interest is now the genetics of how the brain controls food intake.

The Guardian

There are those, of course, who argue that these "mechanisms" constitute art's principal interest.

The New York Times - Arts

The owners owed a total of $160 million in principal, interest and fees.

The New York Times

P.I.T.I.: Stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance, the components of a monthly mortgage payment.

The New York Times

Book II established theorems whose principal interest is their (unstated) application to problems in spherical astronomy.

Britannica

Our principal interest in this problem is the identification of possible physical mechanisms for aeroelastic flutter.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal interest", ensure it clearly identifies the most significant aspect or concern within the context of your writing. For example, in a research paper, state the "principal interest" to clarify the study's main objective.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "principal" as "principle". "Principal" refers to the main or most important thing, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition. Using the wrong word can change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal interest" functions as a noun phrase, where "principal" modifies "interest" to denote the main or most important area of concern. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal interest" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the main or most important concern. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "main concern" or "primary focus", it’s crucial to avoid confusing "principal" with "principle". Using "principal interest" effectively clarifies the core focus of your writing, enhancing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary focus

Highlights the most important area of attention, similar to "principal interest" but slightly more direct.

prime consideration

Similar to "principal interest", it signifies the most important factor to consider.

main concern

Focuses on the primary source of worry or attention, rather than a general interest.

chief focus

Emphasizes the point of concentration, implying a deliberate direction of attention.

central concern

Stresses the importance as the core problem or issue.

overriding consideration

Highlights the importance over other considerations.

foremost priority

Focuses on the order of importance, indicating it comes before other things.

major preoccupation

Suggests a state of being intensely absorbed in something.

essential aspect

Draws attention to a fundamental element or characteristic.

key objective

Refers to the main goal that someone is trying to achieve, emphasizing a target or aim.

FAQs

What does "principal interest" mean?

"Principal interest" refers to the main or most important concern or focus in a particular situation or context.

What can I say instead of "principal interest"?

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

How do I use "principal interest" in a sentence?

You can use "principal interest" to indicate the primary focus of someone or something. For example: "Her principal interest is in environmental conservation."

Is "principal interest" formal or informal?

"Principal interest" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in formal writing.