the primary concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"the primary concern" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
You can use it in any context when you are referring to what a person or organization cares about the most. For example, "The primary concern of the board of directors is finding a new CEO with the right qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But speed wasn't the primary concern.

The New York Times

The primary concern is fitness.

The New York Times

Drug trafficking remains the primary concern among neighborhood residents.

The New York Times

Back then, the primary concern was hospital costs.

The New York Times

"His health is the primary concern," Popovich said.

The New York Times - Sports

"How quickly it's done is not the primary concern".

The New York Times

"That is the primary concern we have here.

Independent

At Exxon, Tillerson often dealt with foreign governments, but ethics were typically not the primary concern.

The New Yorker

The primary concern of most people of working age is not conditions but the work itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

The primary concern is premium-class passenger traffic, which fell 9.2percentt in October.

The New York Times

Within five years, geriatrics will be the primary concern of all graduating physicians.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary concern", ensure it's clear to your audience what the concern relates to. Providing context or specifying whose concern it is can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the primary concern" without clearly identifying what that concern is. For example, instead of saying, "The primary concern was addressed", specify: "The primary concern about the budget was addressed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary concern" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most important issue or worry. Ludwig examples show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary concern" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to emphasize the most important issue or worry in various contexts. Ludwig provides numerous examples from sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals, demonstrating its widespread use. While generally neutral in register, ensure clarity by specifying what the concern is. Alternatives like "the main concern" or "the chief concern" can be used for variety, but the main point is to be direct and clear. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable and correct for expressing key priorities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main concern

Replaces "primary" with "main", emphasizing the chief or principal worry.

the chief concern

Substitutes "primary" with "chief", highlighting the most important or dominant concern.

the principal concern

Uses "principal" instead of "primary", stressing the leading or foremost concern.

the foremost concern

Replaces "primary" with "foremost", indicating the concern that comes before all others in importance.

the overriding concern

Indicates a concern that is more important than any other, superseding all other considerations.

the dominant concern

Highlights a concern that is the most influential or prevalent.

the key concern

Emphasizes that the concern is essential or crucial.

the central concern

Focuses on the concern being at the core or center of attention.

the major preoccupation

Shifts from "concern" to "preoccupation", indicating something that someone thinks about frequently and importantly.

the fundamental issue

Changes both "primary" and "concern" to "fundamental issue", emphasizing a basic or essential problem.

FAQs

What does "the primary concern" mean?

It refers to the most important or significant worry, issue, or focus in a particular situation. It's what people are most anxious or attentive to.

How can I use "the primary concern" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight the main problem or priority. For example, "The primary concern is safety" or "The primary concern was funding".

What are some alternatives to "the primary concern"?

Alternatives include "the main concern", "the chief concern", or "the principal concern". These phrases convey similar meanings, emphasizing the most important issue.

Is it ever incorrect to use "the primary concern"?

It's grammatically correct, but avoid vagueness. Ensure the context makes it clear what the concern is. If it's unclear, specify the source or nature of the concern to improve clarity.