Growing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Growing concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing level of worry or anxiety about a particular issue or situation. Example: "There is a growing concern among parents about the impact of screen time on children's development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Growing concern in the US should be ringing alarms.

The Guardian - Business

Growing concern about app addiction is one possibility.

TechCrunch

Rising student debt is a growing concern.

The New York Times

Across Europe, monitoring groups report growing concern.

Independent

Neurodegenerative disorders constitute a growing concern worldwide.

Archives of Medical Research

Bacterial contamination is a growing concern worldwide.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

Another growing concern was malnutrition and disease.

The Guardian

It is a growing concern among professionals.

The Guardian

Obesity, too, is a growing concern.

The New York Times - Science

Cyber-security for robotic systems is a growing concern.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Abril: One growing concern on the campus is food security.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "growing concern", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern. Be specific about the subject and the reasons behind the increasing worry.

Common error

Avoid using "growing concern" without clearly identifying what is causing the concern. Ensure your sentence provides enough context to understand the subject and reasons for the increasing worry. Example: Instead of saying "There is a growing concern", specify "There is a growing concern among scientists about climate change's impact on biodiversity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "growing" acts as a present participle adjective modifying the noun "concern". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. This phrase typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, highlighting a particular worry or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "growing concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express an increasing level of worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad acceptance. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, denoting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify the subject of the concern for clarity. Alternatives include "increasing anxiety", "rising worry", and "heightened apprehension". Awareness of the context ensures precise communication of escalating issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Increasing anxiety

Replaces "concern" with a more intense emotional state, "anxiety".

Rising worry

Substitutes "concern" with "worry" and "growing" with "rising", offering a slightly less formal tone.

Heightened apprehension

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "growing" with "heightened" and "concern" with "apprehension".

Mounting unease

Emphasizes a sense of discomfort and anxiety that is building up.

Escalating fears

Focuses specifically on the element of fear that is increasing.

Amplifying disquiet

Uses "amplifying" to convey the increase in "disquiet", suggesting a more subtle but pervasive worry.

Intensifying alarm

Highlights a sense of urgency and potential danger.

A developing problem

Shifts the focus from emotion to the problem itself, suggesting it's becoming more significant.

A worrying trend

Focuses on the pattern or direction of events causing the concern.

Emerging issue

Suggests the concern is relatively new and just starting to gain attention.

FAQs

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

Use "growing concern" to describe an increasing level of worry about a particular issue. For example, "There is a growing concern about the spread of misinformation online".

What are some alternatives to "growing concern"?

You can use alternatives like "increasing anxiety", "rising worry", or "heightened apprehension" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what the "growing concern" is about?

Yes, for clarity and effectiveness, it's best to specify the subject of the "growing concern". This provides context and ensures the reader understands what is causing the increasing worry.

What's the difference between "growing concern" and "general concern"?

"Growing concern" implies that the worry is increasing over time, whereas "general concern" suggests a more static, widespread worry without necessarily indicating an increase.