a common concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a shared worry or issue. For example, "The effects of climate change is a common concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That doesn't make it less of a common concern.

The New Yorker

Now they had a common concern along with their common indifference.

The New Yorker

And Eva Tannenbaum, 35, of Williamsburg, pressed Mr. Albanese on a common concern in Orthodox neighborhoods.

The New York Times

The fear of undue Iranian influence, a common concern, may have sectarian underpinnings.

The New York Times

Now not envied The un-Hillary ReprintsThe two countries have a common concern: China.

The Economist

They bring to it a common concern for the human dignity of the person that embraces the spiritual.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1988, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring climate change to be a "common concern of mankind".

The New Yorker

Reasons for the closures are manifold, but a common concern is the increasingly hostile environment for many venues.

The Guardian - Music

"Some people complain that it has dwelt so much on seminars," says Edau, echoing a common concern.

The Guardian

The Biodiversity Convention recognised biodiversity as a "common concern for humankind" and entered into force in 1993.

The Guardian

In focus groups with customers around the world, Mr. Hickey said executives found that a common concern was food safety.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common concern", ensure the context clearly establishes who shares the concern to provide a focused and relevant understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a common concern" without specifying the group or context to which the concern applies. Vague statements can diminish the phrase's impact and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies a widespread worry or problem. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and appears in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Science & Research

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common concern" is a versatile noun phrase used to identify widespread worries or issues. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it effectively highlights shared problems. For best use, specify the concerned group to maximize clarity. Alternatives include "a widespread worry" or "a shared anxiety", offering nuanced ways to express collective unease. Steer clear of overgeneralization by always providing a clear context for the concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "common" with "widespread", emphasizing the breadth of the concern.

a shared anxiety

Substitutes "concern" with "anxiety", suggesting a more intense level of worry that is collectively felt.

a mutual preoccupation

Replaces "concern" with "preoccupation", indicating that the concern is something that people think about frequently and intensely.

a general apprehension

Changes "concern" to "apprehension", highlighting a sense of unease or fear about something that might happen.

a collective unease

Uses "unease" instead of "concern", emphasizing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety shared by a group.

a prevalent issue

Shifts from emotional state to a problem or matter that is widely recognized and affects many people.

a recurrent preoccupation

Adds "recurrent" to emphasize that the preoccupation appears again and again.

a widespread preoccupation

Adds "widespread" to emphasize that the preoccupation affects many people.

a growing apprehension

Adds "growing" to emphasize that the apprehension increases over time.

a mounting anxiety

Adds "mounting" to emphasize that the anxiety increases over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common concern" to introduce a problem or worry shared by a group of people. For example, "Rising healthcare costs are "a common concern" among retirees."

What are some alternatives to "a common concern"?

Alternatives to "a common concern" include phrases like "a widespread worry", "a shared anxiety", or "a mutual preoccupation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "common concern" or "shared concern"?

Both "common concern" and "shared concern" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. The choice depends on stylistic preference, but ""a common concern"" might imply a more widely recognized issue, while "a shared concern" emphasizes the feeling of shared worry within a specific group.

What makes something "a common concern" rather than just a concern?

For something to be ""a common concern"", it needs to be an issue or worry that affects or is recognized by a significant number of people. It's not merely an individual's worry but a collective one.