sole concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole concern" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or subject that is the only or most important thing that someone is worried about or focused on. For example: - "His sole concern was getting a good grade on the test." - "The company's sole concern is increasing profits." - "Our sole concern should be finding a solution to this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But space is not the sole concern.

The New York Times

Love isn't Mr. Cuomo's sole concern.

The New York Times - Arts

Flores's sole concern was the scoreline's slenderness.

The Guardian - Sport

My sole concern was to recover the pleasure of playing.

The Guardian - Sport

At this point, that is the Giants' sole concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Gender is not, of course, the sole concern.

The Guardian

That said, cost had never been Winter's sole concern.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

China's sole concern is commercial stability, not regime legitimacy.

The Guardian

Of sole concern are the properties assumed about sets and the membership relation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If right and wrong are your sole concern, fear not, Christina.

The New York Times

My sole concern, in the case of these three versions of plays, has been linguistic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole concern", ensure that it accurately reflects a situation where there are no other significant considerations. Overusing it can make your writing sound absolute and potentially unrealistic.

Common error

Avoid using "sole concern" when there are clearly other factors or priorities involved. It implies a singularity of focus that might not be accurate, weakening your argument or description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole concern" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It specifies what someone considers to be the single most important aspect in a situation, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole concern" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a particular matter is the only or primary focus of attention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. While its frequency is very common, it is crucial to employ it accurately, ensuring that it truly represents a singular focus, avoiding overgeneralization. Related phrases include "primary focus" and "main priority", each carrying slightly different nuances. Using "sole concern" effectively enhances clarity and emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary focus

Highlights the main area of attention, instead of excluding other concerns.

main priority

Emphasizes importance rather than exclusivity.

chief worry

Specifically refers to a primary source of anxiety or concern.

only interest

Indicates a singular focus of interest, excluding other areas.

exclusive preoccupation

Suggests a complete and intense focus, perhaps obsessive.

central objective

Focuses on a goal that is the most important to achieve.

principal aim

Similar to central objective, but emphasizes intent.

overriding consideration

Implies that this concern takes precedence over all others.

single purpose

Highlights a unique, singular intention or goal.

utmost importance

Stresses significance, but not necessarily exclusivity.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole concern" to emphasize the singular focus of a person or entity. For example, "The company's "sole concern" was increasing profits."

What are some alternatives to "sole concern"?

Alternatives include "primary focus", "main priority", or "chief worry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "sole concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "sole concern" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. It's commonly used in news, academic, and business contexts.

What's the difference between "sole concern" and "main concern"?

"Sole concern" implies that something is the only concern, whereas "main concern" suggests it is the most important among several concerns.