Justifiable concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"justifiable concern" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a worry or issue that is reasonable and can be supported with valid reasons. For example, "The community expressed justifiable concern over the proposed construction project." Alternative expressions include "valid concern" and "reasonable concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's a justifiable concern.

The Guardian - Books

There was justifiable concern that looters would target the hospital's drug caches.

The New York Times - Books

At times, it was hard to distinguish between paranoia and justifiable concern.

The New York Times - Magazine

It even hailed Mr. Putin himself as a "reformer," despite some justifiable concern about his background.

The New York Times

It admitted "there was justifiable concern [last year]... that superinjunctions were being applied for and granted far too readily".

The Guardian

To progress from justifiable concern to bonus-point domination made it an eminently satisfactory late entry into the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Some of the changes raise justifiable concerns.

The Guardian

Only then will the public's – justifiable – concerns begin to be addressed".

The Guardian

There are justifiable concerns about reverse osmosis (RO) performance deterioration and carcinogenic by-products from disinfection in water treatment facilities.

Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers

He insists that he is no racist, but is voicing justifiable concerns about the backwardness of Islamic civilisation and culture.

The Economist

But at the same time there are justifiable concerns about attempts to criminalise some forms of unauthorised disclosure or whistleblowing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "justifiable concern" to clearly indicate that a worry or apprehension has a solid basis in fact or reason, lending weight to the concern being expressed.

Common error

Avoid using "justifiable concern" when a simpler term like "concern" or "worry" would suffice. Overusing the adjective can make your writing sound overly formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justifiable concern" functions as a noun phrase, where 'justifiable' is an adjective modifying the noun 'concern'. This indicates that the concern is not arbitrary but based on valid reasons or evidence. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "justifiable concern" is used to describe a worry or apprehension that is considered valid and well-founded. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media and scientific contexts, signalling a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider using "justifiable concern" to underscore the legitimacy of a worry, and avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "reasonable concern" or "valid apprehension" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reasonable concern

Emphasizes the logical and rational basis for the concern.

Justified worry

Focuses on the fairness and righteousness of the worry.

Well-founded concern

Emphasizes that the concern is based on solid evidence or reasons.

Valid apprehension

Focuses on the well-founded and legitimate nature of the fear or worry.

Legitimate worry

Highlights the lawfulness and acceptability of the concern.

Substantiated anxiety

Highlights that the anxiety is supported by evidence or proof.

Warranted anxiety

Suggests that the anxiety is justified and called for by the circumstances.

Appropriate apprehension

Suggests the apprehension is suitable and fitting for the situation.

Defensible unease

Indicates that the unease can be defended or justified with reasons.

Understandable worry

Highlights that the worry is easy to comprehend or sympathize with.

FAQs

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

You can use "justifiable concern" to describe a worry or apprehension that is based on reason or evidence. For instance, "There is "justifiable concern" about the environmental impact of the proposed development."

What are some alternatives to "justifiable concern"?

Alternatives include "reasonable concern", "valid apprehension", or "legitimate worry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "justifiable concern" instead of "concern"?

Use "justifiable concern" when you want to emphasize that the concern is not merely subjective, but based on objective facts or rational arguments. If the concern is simply a feeling or opinion, "concern" alone may be more appropriate.

Is there a difference between "justifiable concern" and "understandable concern"?

While both phrases suggest a valid reason for worry, ""justifiable concern"" implies a stronger, more objective basis, while "understandable concern" suggests that the worry is easy to comprehend or sympathize with.