Cause for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Cause for concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is troubling or worrisome and may require attention or action. Example: "The recent increase in pollution levels is a cause for concern among environmentalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Cause for concern?

Forbes

This is not necessarily cause for concern.

The Economist

And there is certainly cause for concern.

Independent

Such prescience is now cause for concern.

The Economist

But there is still cause for concern.

The New York Times

There is still cause for concern.

Los Angeles Times

This is not cause for concern.

WikiHow

There's another cause for concern.

The New York Times

His cause for concern?

The Guardian - Tech

"That person's a cause for concern".

The New York Times

There is some cause for concern.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause for concern", clearly articulate the specific reason behind the concern to provide context and encourage appropriate action.

Common error

Avoid using "cause for concern" as a vague statement. Always specify what is causing the concern to make your communication more effective and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause for concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies something that warrants attention due to its potentially negative implications. Ludwig shows it appears frequently in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause for concern" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate that something is troubling or worrisome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and formal communications. Related phrases include "reason for worry" and "source of anxiety", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When using this phrase, it is best practice to specify the reason for the concern clearly. Avoid vagueness to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reason for worry

Replaces "cause" with "reason" and "concern" with "worry", slightly altering the tone to be more informal.

Grounds for apprehension

Substitutes "cause" with "grounds" and "concern" with "apprehension", increasing the formality and suggesting a more significant level of anxiety.

Source of anxiety

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct expression of anxiety, focusing on the origin of the feeling.

Matter of disquiet

Changes "cause" to "matter" and "concern" to "disquiet", resulting in a more subdued and formal expression of worry.

Area of unease

Changes the structure to focus on a specific "area" creating a more specific and localized feeling of discomfort.

Point of alarm

Replaces "concern" with the stronger term "alarm", indicating a heightened sense of urgency or danger.

Justification for worry

Replaces "cause" with "justification", emphasizing the rationale behind the feeling of worry.

Basis for anxiety

Substitutes "cause" with "basis", highlighting the underlying reason for the anxiety.

Source of trepidation

Implies a stronger sense of fear or nervousness than the original phrase.

Reason for alarm

Emphasizes a heightened sense of urgency compared to "cause for concern".

FAQs

How can I use "cause for concern" in a sentence?

You can use "cause for concern" to indicate something that is worrying or troubling. For example, "The increasing number of cyberattacks is a "cause for concern" for many businesses."

What are some alternatives to "cause for concern"?

Alternatives include "reason for worry", "source of anxiety", or "matter of disquiet", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cause of concern" grammatically correct?

While "cause of concern" might sound similar, the correct and more commonly used phrase is ""cause for concern"". The preposition "for" is essential in this idiomatic expression.

What's the difference between "concern" and "anxiety" when talking about "cause for concern"?

"Concern" generally implies a milder form of worry, while "anxiety" suggests a deeper and more intense state of worry. Therefore, a "cause for anxiety" typically indicates a more serious or pressing issue than a ""cause for concern"".