top concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top concerns" can be used in written English, especially in formal and official contexts.
For example, "The board discussed the top concerns of the company at the quarterly meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The top concerns used to be the law and decentralisation.

The Economist

Schools and housing, though, are listed as top concerns.

The New York Times

The mayor said the city's top concerns were safety and protecting the protesters' First Amendment rights.

The New York Times

Jobs and the still-depressed housing market are top concerns of voters, polls show.

The New York Times

Surveys show that chronic homelessness and panhandling are the top concerns among voters.

The New York Times

The department says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice counts the problems among her top concerns.

The New York Times

Recent opinion polls have shown corruption to be one of voters' top concerns.

The Guardian

The quality and diversity of goods the 12 vendors sell are his top concerns.

The New York Times

Republicans who shared certain top concerns also seemed to share preferred candidates.

The New York Times

When it comes to voters top concerns, a very long list is topped by rising prices.

The Guardian

Access to financing remains one of the top concerns for small businesses, according to a new survey.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "top concerns", consider quantifying or categorizing them to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of just stating "economic issues are top concerns", specify the specific issues like unemployment rates or inflation.

Common error

Avoid using "top concerns" as a vague placeholder. Instead, replace it with more descriptive phrases or detailed explanations of specific issues at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top concerns" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and highlights the most significant issues or worries for a particular group or entity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "top concerns" is a noun phrase used to highlight the most significant issues or priorities. Ludwig confirms that its grammatical status is correct and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, with a prevalence in news, scientific, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's important to ensure specificity when using the phrase to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "main priorities" and "chief anxieties", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage and linguistic characteristics, helping writers use it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary worries

Replaces "concerns" with "worries", emphasizing anxiety and unease.

main priorities

Substitutes "concerns" with "priorities", shifting the focus to importance and order of actions.

chief anxieties

Emphasizes the anxious nature of the concerns, using a more formal tone.

major issues

Replaces "concerns" with "issues", focusing on problems and matters needing attention.

key challenges

Frames the concerns as difficulties to be overcome.

principal considerations

Replaces concerns with considerations, making it more thoughtful and nuanced.

foremost preoccupations

Highlights the extent to which these concerns dominate thought.

central problems

Highlights that concerns are actually problems.

urgent matters

Emphasizes the need for immediate action and attention.

burning questions

Presents the concerns as inquiries demanding answers.

FAQs

How can I use "top concerns" in a sentence?

You can use "top concerns" to highlight the most pressing issues for a specific group or organization. For example, "The president addressed the "most pressing issues" during the conference".

What are some alternatives to "top concerns"?

Alternatives to "top concerns" include phrases like "main priorities", "key challenges", or "chief anxieties", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "top concerns" or "major concerns"?

Both "top concerns" and "major concerns" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Top concerns" implies the highest priority, while "major concerns" emphasizes the significance of the issues. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "top concerns" and "biggest challenges"?

"Top concerns" refers to the most significant worries or priorities, while "biggest challenges" refers to the most difficult obstacles to overcome. They can overlap, but the focus differs slightly.