the central concern is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the central concern is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main issue or focus of a topic, argument, or analysis. Example: "In this research paper, the central concern is the impact of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Among animal-rights advocates, the central concern is quality of life.

The Washington Post

The central concern is privacy — of both doctors and their patients.

The New York Times

The central concern is, the MP believes, the selling off of social housing stock and the failure to provide alternatives.

The Guardian

"The central concern is that the F.L.A. will fail to compel Apple to actually improve labor conditions," Mr. Nova said.

The New York Times

As with The Newsroom, the central concern is the battle between the need for ratings versus the desire to preserve some kind of journalistic integrity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For most, however, the central concern is neither regret over Yasir Arafat's failure to reach a peace agreement with Israel nor disillusionment over the consequences of the intifada.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The central concern was around ecosystem services – in other words putting a price on aspects of the ecosystem so that they might be added into the economy and products priced effectively.

Forbes

[ 7] In these quotations, although affective states were often involved implicitly or explicitly, the central concern was for a degree of "naturalness" in the lives of animals: that animals should be able to perform their natural behaviour, that there should be natural elements in their environment, and that we should respect the "nature" of the animals themselves.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Whereas previously the central concerns were friendship, sex, ambition and marriage, this time they've been duly adjusted for middle age, so it's marriage, childbirth, retirement, unemployment, death and God – the last two in surprising abundance.

The Guardian - Film

The familiar central concern is the isolating power of interconnectivity, with Qohen wanting to be left alone in the universe, but needing a Matrix-like message (the connection is made explicitly in a dismissive joke) to explain and validate his (non)existence.

The Guardian - Film

The book's second central concern is the way war transforms human experience.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the central concern is", ensure that the rest of your sentence directly and explicitly addresses the concern you've identified.

Common error

Avoid stating a superficial concern as the central one. Ensure your 'central concern' truly reflects the core issue, not just a symptom or related problem. Otherwise, your analysis will lack depth and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the central concern is" functions as a declarative statement that introduces the main problem, issue, or focus of a discussion. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the central concern is" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the most significant issue in a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms that it's acceptable for use across various contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. While not the most common phrase, its clear and direct nature makes it a valuable tool for emphasizing key points. Remember to use it when you want to clearly articulate the primary focus of your analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main issue is

Replaces 'central concern' with 'main issue', focusing on the primary problem.

the primary focus is

Substitutes 'central concern' with 'primary focus', emphasizing the main area of attention.

the key problem is

Replaces 'central concern' with 'key problem', highlighting the major difficulty.

the major worry is

Substitutes 'central concern' with 'major worry', emphasizing the principal source of anxiety.

the principal consideration is

Replaces 'central concern' with 'principal consideration', emphasizing the main factor to consider.

the paramount question is

Substitutes 'central concern' with 'paramount question', highlighting the most important question.

the overriding objective is

Replaces 'central concern' with 'overriding objective', emphasizing the most important goal.

the chief anxiety is

Substitutes 'central concern' with 'chief anxiety', emphasizing the most significant worry.

the dominating thought is

Replaces 'central concern' with 'dominating thought', emphasizing the most prevalent idea.

the prevailing anxiety is

Replaces 'central concern' with 'prevailing anxiety', highlighting the widespread worry.

FAQs

How can I use "the central concern is" in a sentence?

Use "the central concern is" to introduce the most important issue or problem being discussed. For example, "The central concern is the lack of funding for education."

What can I say instead of "the central concern is"?

You can use alternatives like "the main issue is", "the primary focus is", or "the key problem is" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "the central concern is" and "a central concern is"?

"The central concern is" implies there is one primary issue, while "a central concern is" suggests there are multiple important issues.

Is it appropriate to use "the central concern is" in formal writing?

Yes, "the central concern is" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is a clear and direct way to state the most important issue. It is commonly found in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.