the number one priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the number one priority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the most important task or goal in a given context. Example: "In our current project, meeting the deadline is our number one priority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Audience safety is always the number one priority on a One Direction tour".

Huffington Post

But the number one priority is to keep the lights on".

The Guardian

"Water is the number one priority".

The Guardian

This is the number one priority.

The Guardian

That is the number one priority for me".

The Guardian

For our audiences, this is the number one priority.

The Guardian

"The number one priority must be capital controls," she says.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The number-one priority is safety.

The Guardian - Music

The number-one priority should be protecting the medical privacy of its athletes.

Vice

Let's launch a campaign to make this the number-one priority.

Huffington Post

"There should be no argument about the interests of the child being the number-one priority".

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase; while widely accepted, in highly formal writing, more nuanced alternatives like "paramount concern" may be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "the number one priority" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Overusing the phrase can make your language sound repetitive or overly dramatic; opt for simpler expressions like "most important thing" or "main focus" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the number one priority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object, and identifying the most crucial aspect within a given context. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the number one priority" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the utmost importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees frequent use across various sources, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the context and audience, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings or more nuanced expressions like "utmost importance" in highly formal writing. Understanding the phrase's function, purpose, and register can aid in its effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top priority

Replaces "number one" with "top", offering a more concise alternative while retaining the meaning of utmost importance.

highest priority

Substitutes "number one" with "highest", conveying the same sense of paramount importance through a different adjective.

main priority

Uses "main" instead of "number one", indicating the primary focus or concern.

first priority

Uses "first" instead of "number one", a slightly more literal expression of order of importance.

chief concern

Replaces "priority" with "concern" and "number one" with "chief", shifting the emphasis slightly towards anxiety or worry but still highlighting importance.

foremost concern

Similar to "chief concern", but using "foremost" to emphasize precedence in thought or action.

prime concern

Synonymous to "chief concern", but using "prime" to indicate higher rank or value.

paramount importance

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase emphasizing the extreme significance of something.

utmost importance

Similar to "paramount importance", emphasizing the extreme degree of importance but swapping out 'paramount' for 'utmost'.

primary focus

Shifts the emphasis from precedence to the main point of concentration or attention.

FAQs

What is an alternative to "the number one priority" that sounds less emphatic?

Alternatives include "main focus", "key objective", or "primary goal". These options still highlight importance but with less intensity.

How can I use "the number one priority" in a sentence?

You can use it to clearly state the most important thing to focus on. For example, "Our number one priority is ensuring customer satisfaction".

Is it correct to say "the number one priorities"?

While grammatically possible if you have multiple items of equal importance, it's often stronger to identify a single "number one priority". If multiple items are crucial, consider rephrasing to "key priorities" or "top priorities".

What's the difference between "the number one priority" and "a priority"?

"The number one priority" indicates the single most important thing, while "a priority" simply means something is important but not necessarily the most important. Using "the" signals its unique position.