the sole concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is the only issue or matter of importance in a particular context. Example: "In this negotiation, the sole concern is reaching a fair agreement that benefits both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But space is not the sole concern.

The New York Times

Gender is not, of course, the sole concern.

The Guardian

These days damage control is the sole concern of Japan's scandal-infested government.

The Economist

But even as the tasting proceeded, menu development was hardly the sole concern of the commandants of Lincoln.

The New York Times - Food

As Mr. Douglas and others backing Mr. Sununu see it, with the Senate tied, electability is ultimately the sole concern in next year's contest, not ideology or personality.

The New York Times

Whether the President is happy or sad has become the central, if not the sole, concern of the Republican Party and of his Cabinet.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

At this point, that is the Giants' sole concern.

The New York Times - Sports

To think, an extraterrestrial from a foreign planet arrives on Earth and the FBI's sole concern is swiping mobile phones and sugary goods from the interstellar immigrant.

Vice

To think, an extra terrestrial from a foreign planet arrives on Earth and the FBI's sole concern is swiping mobile phones and sugary goods from the interstellar immigrant.

Vice

The board's sole concern was that Healy was coming off "a medical challenge," as McFerson put it.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Despite Karla's initial reticence and reluctance to go to the hospital, my sole concern was to provide her with immediate medical attention," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sole concern" to clearly and concisely emphasize that a specific issue or aspect is the only one that matters in a given situation. This can help to focus attention and streamline decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole concern" when multiple factors genuinely contribute to a situation. Overstating the singularity of a concern can oversimplify reality and alienate stakeholders who feel their perspectives are being disregarded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It emphasizes that a particular issue is the only one of importance or relevance. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that a particular issue is the only thing that matters. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts like news, science, and academia. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "the only worry" or "the main priority" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. To use "the sole concern" effectively, ensure it accurately reflects the situation and avoids oversimplifying complex scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", maintaining the emphasis on a single issue but with a slightly different emotional tone.

the primary focus

Indicates the main point of attention or effort.

the main priority

Shifts from a negative connotation (concern) to a positive one (priority), highlighting what is most important.

the central issue

Highlights the most important problem or topic.

the single consideration

Emphasizes the aspect of thoughtful attention given to something.

the key objective

Focuses on the most important goal to be achieved.

the chief preoccupation

Highlights the dominance of a thought or worry over others.

the utmost importance

Emphasizes the high level of significance attached to something.

the overriding interest

Suggests that something takes precedence over all other interests.

the dominant factor

Highlights the most influential element affecting a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "the sole concern" to emphasize the only issue that matters in a situation. For example: "In this negotiation, "the sole concern" is reaching a fair agreement".

What phrases are similar to "the sole concern"?

Alternatives to "the sole concern" include "the only worry", "the main priority", or "the primary focus", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the only concern" instead of "the sole concern"?

Yes, "the only concern" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "the sole concern". Both phrases highlight that there is one specific issue of importance.

What is the difference between "the main concern" and "the sole concern"?

"The main concern" suggests that it is the most important issue among several, while "the sole concern" implies that it is the only issue that matters.