work is their only priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work is their only priority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or a group of people who focus solely on their work, often at the expense of other aspects of life. Example: "For many professionals in the tech industry, work is their only priority, leaving little time for personal relationships or hobbies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But today, when we have the first pregnant CEO of a Fortune 500 company to look up to (Marissa Mayer at Yahoo!), working moms (and dads!) no longer have to pretend that work is their only priority in life.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This work was their only joint undertaking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet, by law, we are supposed to be their only priority," she wrote of agents.

The Washington Post

Marshall and Lily tried to defend their stance that Marvin was their only priority, but it only hurt the others.

Huffington Post

They say changing the way the House operates is their only chance at getting their priorities taken seriously.

The Washington Post

Their only priority is to resolve our customers' issues," they wrote.

TechCrunch

What is their first priority?

The Guardian

That is their first priority".

The New York Times

"This is their first priority".

The New York Times

Family is their first priority.

Huffington Post

The BMA says doctors will be in their usual place of work, and patient safety will be their absolute priority.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "work is their only priority" when you want to clearly communicate that someone dedicates nearly all their time and energy to their job, possibly to the neglect of other areas of life. Be mindful of the potentially negative connotations of this imbalance.

Common error

Avoid using "work is their only priority" if the dedication isn't absolute. Consider alternatives like "work is a high priority" if they dedicate significant time, but not exclusively, to their job.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work is their only priority" functions as a descriptive statement. It characterizes an individual's or group's dedication, implying that work overshadows other aspects of their life. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "work is their only priority" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation where work takes precedence over everything else. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, usage is relatively infrequent. The phrase carries a neutral to slightly critical tone, suggesting an imbalance in priorities. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and consider alternatives if the dedication to work isn't absolute. As demonstrated by the examples from Ludwig, authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian occasionally employ this phrase to convey dedication, but it is essential to consider the implications of such an imbalance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work is their sole focus

Replaces "only priority" with "sole focus", emphasizing exclusivity.

work is their main concern

Substitutes "only priority" with "main concern", shifting the focus to importance.

work takes precedence above all else

Replaces the entire phrase with a stronger emphasis on work's dominance.

they prioritize work above everything else

Rephrases to highlight the act of prioritizing work.

their professional life comes first

Focuses on professional life as the first consideration.

they are dedicated to their work above all else

Emphasizes dedication to work over other aspects of life.

work is their biggest commitment

Highlights work as the most significant commitment.

their career is their utmost priority

Emphasizes career as the most important focus.

they live and breathe their work

Uses a more figurative expression to show deep immersion in work.

their work consumes their entire life

Suggests work completely dominates their life.

FAQs

How can I use "work is their only priority" in a sentence?

You might say, "For some entrepreneurs, "work is their only priority", which can lead to burnout if they don't find a balance."

What's a less intense way to say "work is their only priority"?

Consider phrases like "work is a high priority" or "they prioritize their career" if you want to soften the statement.

What are the potential downsides of "work is their only priority"?

Focusing solely on work can lead to neglect of personal relationships, health issues, and a lack of overall life balance. It's essential to recognize and address these potential drawbacks.

Is it always negative to say "work is their only priority"?

Not necessarily. It can be neutral or even positive if describing someone driven and successful, but it often implies a lack of balance, so consider your audience and the context.