ultimate concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"ultimate concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's or a group's most important or overriding worry or issue. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal beliefs, societal problems, or existential issues. Example: "Many people's ultimate concern is achieving financial stability and security in their lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So too is Paul Tillich's account of faith as 'the state of being ultimately concerned', since the claim of the object of one's ultimate concern to 'promise total fulfilment even if all other claims have to be subjected to it or rejected in its name' cannot in principle be established on the basis of the evidence.

SEP

"It answers questions of ultimate concern; it directs our values".

The New York Times

But global weather patterns are the ultimate concern.

The New Yorker

"I think that is the ultimate concern of the Saudis," Mr. Fowler said.

The New York Times

Its ultimate concern is to bring an end to human suffering, which results from ignorance of reality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This brings "The Two Cultures" to its ultimate concern, which has less to do with intellectual life than with geopolitics.

The New York Times - Books

The ultimate concern of Scrooge's story is that we should not gain the whole world, and lose our own souls.

The Guardian - Film

It would indeed be a nonsense to think that our ultimate concern should be for abstractions like "nation" or "culture" rather than individual, breathing human beings.

Independent

The historical expressions of pastoral care have focused on the predominant but not exclusive expressions of ultimate concern characteristic of the period in question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, as Stiefel points out, he and Kobborg are still "outsiders", and his ultimate concern must be to nurture local talent.

The Guardian

The ultimate concern is that if runaway global warming occurred, temperatures could spiral out of control and make our planet uninhabitable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ultimate concern" to convey a sense of profound importance or overriding priority. It often implies a deep emotional or philosophical investment in the matter at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "ultimate concern" to describe everyday preferences or minor inconveniences. This phrase carries significant weight and is best reserved for matters of substantial importance or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something of paramount importance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ultimate concern" is a noun phrase that signifies something of the highest importance or worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. It is most appropriately used in formal to neutral registers to describe significant issues or priorities. When writing, remember to reserve this impactful phrase for situations that genuinely warrant a sense of profound importance, differentiating it from more casual expressions of concern. Consider alternatives such as ""paramount concern"" or "primary concern" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paramount concern

Emphasizes the supreme importance or priority of the concern.

primary concern

Indicates the main or most important concern among others.

utmost concern

Highlights the highest level of worry or importance attached to the concern.

overriding concern

Suggests that this concern takes precedence over all others.

chief worry

A more informal way to express the main source of anxiety.

top priority

Focuses on the actions and decisions that need to be handled first.

greatest apprehension

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety and fear about a particular issue.

major preoccupation

Highlights that the concern dominates one's thoughts.

central focus

Indicates that the concern is the main point of attention or effort.

principal anxiety

Highlights the leading cause of worry.

FAQs

How to use "ultimate concern" in a sentence?

The phrase "ultimate concern" is used to describe something that someone considers to be of the highest importance. For instance, "The president's "paramount concern" was the safety of the citizens".

What can I say instead of "ultimate concern"?

You can use alternatives like ""paramount concern"", "primary concern", or "utmost concern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ultimate concern" or "major concern"?

"Ultimate concern" implies a higher degree of importance than "major concern". Use "ultimate concern" when referring to something of the highest priority and "major concern" for something of significant, but not necessarily the highest, importance.

What's the difference between "ultimate concern" and "main concern"?

"Ultimate concern" indicates a final or overriding worry, while "main concern" simply refers to the principal issue. The former suggests a deeper, more profound significance.