Valid concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Valid concern" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when acknowledging someone's worry or issue that is reasonable and justifiable. For example, "Your point about the budget is a valid concern that we need to address." Alternative expressions include "legitimate concern" and "reasonable concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is a valid concern.

The New York Times

Considering their history, it's a valid concern.

The New York Times

With regard to extremists, that is a valid concern.

The Guardian

But my grandfather thought this was a valid concern.

The New Yorker

The loss of a homeland just doesn't compute as a valid concern.

The New York Times

"And where there is valid concern, I think, we're responding to that in a responsible way".

The New York Times - Arts

"People have a valid concern, but they're measuring radiation using the wrong devices," he said.

The New York Times

A valid concern on a day when the temperature was past 90 degrees.

The New York Times - Style

Though a valid concern, this does not detract from very significant concerns about transparency in aggregate.

The Guardian - Tech

"There was some valid concern recently that they were artificially inflating revenue".

The New York Times

Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, said Mr. Coburn had raised a valid concern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "valid concern", clearly state the reason the concern is valid to give your statement more weight and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "valid concern" as a generic agreement. Always specify what makes the concern valid, or consider a more descriptive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valid concern" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "valid" modifies the noun "concern". As shown by Ludwig AI, this phrase typically introduces a topic of discussion in which somebody is worried about something and this preoccupation is considered authoritative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "valid concern" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to acknowledge a legitimate worry or issue. Ludwig AI indicates that its prevalent in news, scientific, and formal contexts, making it appropriate for a wide range of professional communications. While alternatives like "legitimate concern" and "reasonable worry" exist, using "valid concern" effectively involves clearly stating the basis for the concern to provide clarity and impact. Avoid generic usage and always specify the reasons behind the concern's validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Legitimate concern

Replaces "valid" with a synonym emphasizing lawfulness or genuineness.

Legitimate worry

Replaces "concern" with a direct synonym, keeping the meaning very close.

Reasonable worry

Substitutes both "valid" and "concern" with near synonyms, altering the tone slightly.

Justifiable apprehension

Offers more formal synonyms for both words, increasing the seriousness of the phrase.

Well-founded fear

Highlights the rationale behind the concern, suggesting there's a solid basis for it.

Warranted anxiety

Emphasizes the legitimacy of the anxiety, implying it's not excessive or unfounded.

Genuine unease

Focuses on the authenticity of the feeling of discomfort or worry.

Substantive issue

Shifts focus to the importance of the underlying problem causing the concern.

Credible threat

Highlights the potential danger associated with the situation, making it more forceful.

Significant reservation

Emphasizes doubt or hesitation, especially about the advisability of an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "valid concern" to acknowledge that a worry or issue is legitimate. For example, "Data privacy is a "valid concern" in the digital age."

What are some alternatives to saying "valid concern"?

You can use alternatives such as "legitimate concern", "reasonable worry", or "justifiable apprehension" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "very valid concern"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "very valid concern" can be redundant. "Valid" already implies legitimacy, so adding "very" might not add significant emphasis. Consider rephrasing for stronger impact, such as "significant concern".

What's the difference between a "valid concern" and a "minor concern"?

A ""valid concern"" suggests a legitimate, well-founded worry, while a "minor concern" implies a less significant issue that may not require immediate attention.