a concern against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a concern against" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you are expressing opposition or apprehension regarding a specific issue or action. Example: "There is a growing concern against the proposed changes to the environmental regulations."

News & media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

These flaws could be a concern against the likes of Spain.

The New York Times - Sports

Defence was a concern against Cardiff, and while it improved against Scarlets, discipline then became the main issue.

The Times

A defense giving up 29.4 points per game, however, remains too much of a concern against an opponent playing as well as the Vikes.

The Guardian - Sport

But Oregon is missing nearly half its defense because of injuries, a concern against No. 14 Stanford's power attack, led by running back Stepfan Taylor and his 106 yards per game.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Furthermore, Mr King remains worried about the current growth rate of money and credit, saying that "it is high, it is a concern".Against this background, it is hardly surprising that the Inflation Report struck a hawkish note.

The Economist

They also allow opponents to rebound 30.2percentt of their misses and gave up 13 offensive boards to a smaller Lehigh team, which could be a big concern against the bigger, more athletic Baylor frontline.

Huffington Post

Two specific complaints and a separate unspecified "concern" against an unidentified cleric were reported to the Murphy Commission, a state-sponsored investigation into the handling of clerical sexual abuse of children in the Dublin archdiocese.

The New York Times

That may be a concern long-term against deeper teams.

The Washington Post

Several factors influenced the formation of this alliance, including the solution of trade, boundary, and religious disputes, but the principal impetus was a concern over defense against attacks by the French, the Dutch, or the Indians.

Britannica

Use your judgement when placing a buffet-style table: if space is a concern, move it against a wall.

WikiHow

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Robin Swann said: "The decision of the DUP to table a petition of concern against Monday's motion is a desperate act from the DUP leadership to stifle accountability and stinks of protectionism where party must always come first, irrespective of the carnage that causes to public confidence in the politics of Stormont".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing worry or disapproval, consider using more common alternatives such as "a worry about" or "an objection to" as they often sound more natural and are more readily understood.

Common error

While grammatically acceptable, overuse of the phrase "a concern against" can make writing sound awkward. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "a worry about" or restructuring the sentence to improve flow and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a concern against" functions as a noun phrase expressing a feeling of worry, disapproval, or opposition. Although Ludwig acknowledges its acceptability, the phrasing is less common than other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a concern against" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon way to express worry, disapproval, or opposition. Ludwig indicates that it is more frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts but may sound awkward compared to alternatives such as "a worry about" or "an objection to". Therefore, while understandable, writers should consider more common and natural-sounding alternatives to enhance clarity and flow. Though acceptable, keep in mind that this expression is not the most prevalent, and selecting a different one could enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worry about

Replaces "concern" with the more common "worry" and uses "about" instead of "against" for broader applicability.

an objection to

Shifts the focus to express a direct disagreement or disapproval rather than just worry.

a reservation regarding

Uses a more formal tone, suggesting a specific doubt or condition.

apprehension about

Emphasizes a sense of fear or unease about something.

misgivings about

Indicates feelings of doubt or uncertainty.

unease with

Highlights a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

opposition to

Directly states disagreement or resistance.

a fear of

Emphasizes the fear or anxiety associated with something.

anxiety over

Focuses on the anxiety or stress caused by something.

disquiet about

Suggests a lack of peace or tranquility due to something.

FAQs

What does "a concern against" mean?

The phrase "a concern against" expresses worry, disapproval, or opposition towards something. It's often used to highlight potential negative consequences or risks associated with a particular action or situation. However, it is not as common as alternative phrasings.

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

You can use "a concern against" to express reservations or objections. For example, "There is "a concern against" the new policy due to its potential impact on employee morale."

What can I say instead of "a concern against"?

You can use alternatives like "a worry about", "an objection to", or "a reservation regarding" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a concern against" grammatically correct?

While "a concern against" is grammatically acceptable, it's less common and can sound somewhat awkward compared to more conventional phrases like "a concern about". Its acceptability is acknowledged in the Ludwig AI analysis, but it suggests that it may not be the most natural phrasing.