the chief worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the chief worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary concern or issue in a particular context. Example: "The chief worry among parents is the safety of their children in schools."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The chief worry is that such people will leave in the general disenchantment of recession.

The Economist

The prospect that exhaustion might eventually strike overstretched households is still the chief worry hanging over the American economy.

The Economist

The chief worry is that political unrest in the Middle East may disrupt oil supplies for some time, and thereby deal a powerful blow to the world economy.

The Economist

So far, though, the chief worry for Boeing and its main rival is how to get their products flying out of the door faster.

The Economist

But the two together were the chief worry for 34% of the electorate, compared with just 22% who plumped for values.

The Economist

The chief worry appears to be whether or not the Icelandic Central Bank would have the muscle to rescue one of the banks if things went wrong.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

As in other districts, jobs and the economy are the chief worries, and Mr Young is adept at appealing to rural prejudices by, for example, criticising overbearing federal regulation of agriculture.

The Economist

The seriousness of any of these problems will depend largely on the length and severity of the war, and on how quickly aid agencies can get in afterwards.In Iraq, the chief worries are pollution from oil spillages and burning oil wells.

The Economist

His adolescent pan was one of the chief worries while this picture was in production.

Los Angeles Times

One of the chief worries about Expanded Choice is what will happen if recipients receive poor treatment.

Los Angeles Times

Wells Fargo's profit fell as it set aside more money to cover its struggling portfolio of oil and gas loans, one of the chief worries investors have about the financial industry.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "the chief worry", ensure the context clearly indicates who holds this worry or what the worry pertains to. Ambiguity can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "the chief worry" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formality can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "the main problem" or "what I'm most worried about" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the chief worry" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary or most significant concern. It often acts as the subject or complement of a sentence, highlighting the main source of anxiety or apprehension as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the chief worry" is a versatile phrase used to denote the primary concern or source of anxiety in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, business, and academic writing. While appropriate for formal settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. When using this phrase, clarity about who holds the worry and its specific subject is crucial. Alternatives include "the main concern" and "the biggest fear". Therefore, using this phrase is accurate and efficient in professional and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main concern

Focuses on the principal aspect of concern, similar to highlighting the most important issue.

the primary apprehension

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety or unease that is the foremost consideration.

the biggest fear

Highlights the most significant fear or dread associated with a particular situation.

the principal anxiety

Similar to "the chief worry" but emphasizes the anxious feeling more directly.

the overriding concern

Indicates that this concern takes precedence over all others.

the foremost concern

Highlights that this is the first or most important concern to consider.

the central preoccupation

Suggests a dominating thought or concern that consistently occupies one's mind.

the key issue

Focuses on the essential problem or matter needing resolution.

the major source of anxiety

Pinpoints the main thing causing worry or nervousness.

the predominant unease

Highlights the most noticeable feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "the chief worry" in a sentence?

Use "the chief worry" to indicate the most significant concern or anxiety. For instance, "The chief worry is that the project will exceed its budget."

What are some alternatives to "the chief worry"?

You can use alternatives such as "the main concern", "the primary apprehension", or "the biggest fear" depending on the context.

Is "the chief worry" formal or informal?

"The chief worry" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "the main problem" or "what I'm most worried about".

What's the difference between "the chief worry" and "a chief worry"?

"The chief worry" refers to the single, most important concern. "A chief worry" implies that it is one of several significant concerns, but not necessarily the most important one.