was a top priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a top priority" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing something that was considered very important or urgent in a particular context. Example: "Ensuring customer satisfaction was a top priority for the team." Alternative expressions include "was a key focus" and "was of utmost importance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Republicans said education was a top priority.

The New York Times

She said the deal with Apple was a top priority.

The New York Times

The investigation, after all, was a top priority.

The New York Times

Unsurprisingly, getting rid of drug dealers was a top priority.

The Guardian

Closing a deal was a top priority for all.

The Washington Post

Mr Gove told MPs that this was a top priority.

The Times

As for its debt burden, Mr. Calhoun said that was a top priority.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said that price stability was a top priority for China this year.

The New York Times

Getting a good education was a top priority for his family.

The New York Times

The board was a top priority for Mr. Obama during the long legislative battle.

The New York Times - Health

When I finally visited Pyongyang, the capital, in 2007, acquiring a map was a top priority.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The indefinite article 'a' suggests the item was among several high-ranking concerns; use 'the top priority' if it was the absolute single most important one.

Common error

Do not use comparative or superlative modifiers like 'more' or 'most' with this phrase. Phrases like "was a most top priority" are redundant because 'top' already functions as a superlative in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a top priority" functions as a predicate nominative where the linking verb 'was' connects a subject to a noun phrase describing its status. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to assign a high value or degree of urgency to a subject in a past-tense narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was a top priority" is a robust and highly versatile expression used to denote significant past importance. Ludwig examples demonstrate its efficacy in diverse fields, from international politics and corporate strategy to scientific research. It is grammatically standard and widely accepted in professional registers. When using this phrase, remember that it implies the subject was one of the most critical concerns at a specific point in time. It is particularly useful for retrospective analysis and reporting, providing a clear indication of where focus and resources were historically directed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was a high priority

A direct synonym that is slightly less superlative than top.

was a key focus

Shifts the emphasis from hierarchical rank to the level of attention given.

was a primary goal

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the task.

was of paramount importance

Increases the formality and suggests the subject was the most important factor.

was a leading objective

Used specifically when referring to organizational or tactical goals.

was a critical aim

Combines the necessity of the task with the intention of achieving it.

was a central concern

Focuses on the thematic or problematic nature of the subject.

was a major emphasis

Highlights the intensity of the effort applied to the subject.

was at the forefront

Uses a spatial metaphor to indicate prominence and visibility.

was a matter of urgency

Adds a temporal dimension suggesting the subject required immediate action.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "was a top priority"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "was a key focus", "was of utmost importance", or "was a primary objective".

Is "was a top priority" formal enough for business reports?

Yes, as shown in Ludwig examples from the Harvard Business Review and The Wall Street Journal, it is highly appropriate for professional and formal writing.

What is the difference between "was a top priority" and "was the top priority"?

Using "was the top priority" implies the subject was the single most important thing, while using a suggests it was one of several very important items.

How do I use "was a top priority" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe past goals, such as: "Ensuring the safety of the staff "was a top priority" for the management team during the transition."