topmost concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"topmost concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means the most important or primary concern. Examples: - My topmost concern as a parent is ensuring my child's safety. - The company's topmost concern is maintaining high profits. - Climate change is a topmost concern for scientists and environmentalists. - The government's topmost concern should be addressing poverty and inequality. - His topmost concern during the pandemic was protecting his elderly parents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After all, Southeast Asia is not a topmost concern for the US.

HuffPost

Choosing or buying an RV can be a guide all by itself, but some main things to consider when selecting an RV include: Resale value: If you'll be buying a rig just for the trip, consider the resale value as a topmost concern.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

High costs of farm inputs, limited access to micro-credit facilities, uncertain commodity prices, and poor road networks, featured among topmost concerns for smallholders against their quest for robust adaptation options.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Riverbank erosion is considered as a slow, silent and ranking topmost disaster concerning the losses of property in Bangladesh (Shamsuddoha and Chowdhury 2007; Rahman et al. 2015).

Environmental Systems Research

Andy is regaling us... Mother smiles and sighs and picks at her roast potato, and I try to imagine which of her immediate deep concerns is topmost.

The New Yorker

The protocols we suggested, namely the MRC-score and the MRC-rank, statistically outperform the average single conformation run, and this is particularly true as far as the topmost ranking fraction is concerned.

Plosone

All three lives were at the topmost peaks of show business.

The New York Times

As far as soil depth is concerned, lifespan for roots distributed in the topmost soil layer increased significantly in response to rhizome severing, while no effects of rhizome severing on lifespan were found for those roots in the other two soil layers.

Plosone

While reformation of the blasphemy law is currently Engage's topmost priority, it also hopes to initiate the same dialogue and debate around similar concerns in the future. .

Vice

He lifted the topmost, "Bare Miss Apprehension".

The New Yorker

Some will be in the topmost section.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "topmost concern" when you want to emphasize that something is not just important, but the single most important thing to consider.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "topmost concern" can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Consider using a simpler phrase like "main concern" or "biggest worry" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "topmost concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "topmost" modifies the noun "concern". It denotes the highest level of importance or worry regarding a particular matter. Ludwig's examples, while limited, show its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "topmost concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the most important or primary concern. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, according to Ludwig's analysis. It tends to appear in news articles and scientific contexts but may sound overly formal in casual conversation. For more informal settings, synonyms such as "main concern" or "highest priority" may be more suitable. Remember to use "topmost concern" when emphasizing the absolute primacy of an issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main concern

A more common and straightforward alternative.

chief concern

Implies a leading or dominant concern.

principal concern

Similar to chief concern, but slightly more formal.

primary worry

Focuses on the anxiety or apprehension associated with the concern.

foremost concern

Stresses the position at the front or head of a list of concerns.

highest priority

Emphasizes the order of importance rather than the degree of worry.

paramount concern

Indicates the concern is of supreme importance.

overriding concern

Suggests the concern is more important than all others.

utmost concern

Emphasizes the extreme importance of the concern.

greatest concern

Highlights the magnitude or intensity of the concern.

FAQs

How can I use "topmost concern" in a sentence?

You can use "topmost concern" to emphasize the primary importance of something. For example, "My "topmost concern" is the safety of my family."

What is a synonym for "topmost concern"?

Alternatives to "topmost concern" include "main concern", "highest priority", or "primary worry". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "topmost concern" formal or informal?

"Topmost concern" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversations, phrases like "biggest worry" might be more appropriate. For professional or academic writing, "topmost concern" is perfectly acceptable.

When should I avoid using "topmost concern"?

Avoid using "topmost concern" in very informal settings or when trying to downplay the importance of something. Simpler alternatives like "main thing" or "key issue" might be more suitable in those situations.