the primary concern is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary concern is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main issue or focus in a particular context or situation. Example: "In our recent meeting, we concluded that the primary concern is the lack of resources for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The primary concern is fitness.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

For most students, the primary concern is tracking down classmates, Ms. Stein said.

The New York Times

The primary concern is the safety of Bahraini citizens, spectators, teams, drivers and all those involved in the F1 race.

The Guardian - Sport

"The primary concern is the safety of the hostages and freeing them uninjured," said a Bush administration official who is monitoring the operation.

The New York Times

The primary concern is that its original intent — to infuse the American marketplace with the fruits of academic innovation — has also distorted the fundamental mission of universities.

The New York Times - Tech

But Hannah Paterson, NUS Disabled Students Officerr, says the "primary concern" is that very few of the students experiencing distress speak about their problem.

The Guardian

"The primary concern is what do any new data mean" for future Fed actions, said William Meehan, chief market analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald.

The New York Times

When a pitcher misses time, the primary concern is usually the command of his pitches, but Manager Joe Girardi's focus was not quite so detailed.

The New York Times

The primary concern is that menthol, by reducing the discomfort of smoking, would seem to make it easier for the tobacco industry to lure new smokers and keep chronic smokers from quitting.

The New York Times

"The primary concern is how and when the company is going to repay the borrowing in addition to the overall earnings environment," said Heather Goodchild, an analyst at Standard & Poor's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary concern is", ensure that the rest of the sentence clearly articulates what that concern is. Ambiguity can weaken the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid diluting the impact of "the primary concern is" by using it for issues that are actually secondary. Prioritize the most crucial issue to maintain focus and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary concern is" serves as a declarative statement, introducing the most significant issue or worry in a given context. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary concern is" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile phrase used to introduce the most critical issue or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its widespread usage in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and business communications, underscores its importance in clear and direct communication. When employing this phrase, ensure that the concern is articulated clearly and accurately to maintain the focus and impact of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main worry is

Replaces concern with worry, emphasizing anxiety or apprehension.

the chief consideration is

Substitutes primary with chief and concern with consideration, highlighting the leading factor to think about.

the major issue is

Replaces primary concern with major issue, denoting a significant problem.

the key focus is

Replaces primary concern with key focus, emphasizing the central point of attention.

the principal preoccupation is

Substitutes primary with principal and concern with preoccupation, suggesting a dominant thought or worry.

the central priority is

Replaces primary concern with central priority, underscoring the most important task or goal.

the overriding fear is

Substitutes concern with fear, emphasizing a dominant anxiety.

the foremost anxiety is

Replaces primary with foremost and concern with anxiety, highlighting a leading source of worry.

the dominant question is

Replaces primary concern with dominant question, suggesting the most important inquiry.

the leading apprehension is

Replaces primary concern with leading apprehension, emphasizing a significant worry or fear.

FAQs

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

Use "the primary concern is" to introduce the most important issue or worry in a given situation. For example, "The primary concern is the lack of funding for the project."

What are some alternatives to "the primary concern is"?

You can use alternatives like "the main worry is", "the chief consideration is", or "the major issue is" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the primary concern is" in formal writing?

"The primary concern is" is suitable for formal writing when you need to clearly and directly state the most important issue or consideration. It is appropriate for reports, essays, and professional communications.

What's the difference between "the primary concern is" and "a secondary concern is"?

"The primary concern is" identifies the most important issue, while "a secondary concern is" highlights an issue that is important but less critical than the primary one.