a concern of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a concern of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing moral dilemmas or ethical issues that weigh heavily on an individual's mind or beliefs. Example: "The decision to report the unethical behavior was a concern of conscience for her, as she valued integrity above all else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"That is a concern of conscience," he tells her.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But she was fortunate, she said, "to be living in an age where concern for prisoners of conscience has become the concern of peoples everywhere….

Vice

Our White Supresident danced around DACA, blending his incompetence, alt-right branding concerns, and a tiny twinge of conscience, as he toyed with 800,000 young people who deserve a future in America.

Huffington Post

Maybe a better way of putting it is that here, over the course of two weeks, our planet's future is coalescing from a thousand whirling strands of conscience, concern, passion, resolution, and hope.

Huffington Post

A vote of conscience?

The Guardian - Opinion

A dialogue of conscience.

The Guardian - Books

A drama of conscience.

The Guardian

A man of conscience".

The New Yorker

This is a violation of conscience".

The New York Times

"This is now a matter of conscience".

The New York Times

What a triumph of conscience!

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a concern of conscience", ensure the context clearly establishes the ethical or moral framework influencing the concern. This will add depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a concern of conscience" when the issue is merely a preference or inconvenience. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving genuine moral or ethical considerations, not simple disagreements or personal tastes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a concern of conscience" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific ethical or moral consideration weighing on someone's mind. Ludwig confirms its proper usage within sentences to express internal conflict over moral issues.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a concern of conscience" is a phrase used to express an ethical or moral dilemma that causes internal conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and carries a neutral register, suitable for serious discussions on ethics and morality. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the ethical framework to avoid misapplication in non-ethical scenarios. Alternatives such as "a matter of conscience" or "an ethical dilemma" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of conscience

Focuses on a decision or action being dictated by one's moral principles.

an ethical dilemma

Highlights the challenging situation where one must choose between conflicting moral imperatives.

a moral quandary

Emphasizes the perplexing and difficult nature of the moral problem.

a question of ethics

Frames the issue as one that requires ethical analysis and consideration.

a moral imperative

Stresses the sense of duty or obligation felt by an individual.

a crisis of ethics

Similar to 'ethical dilemma', but underlines a more severe situation.

a moral conflict

Highlights the internal struggle between different values or beliefs.

a source of moral worry

Indicates something that is producing unease from a moral standpoint.

an ethical consideration

Highlights an element or a factor to consider from an ethical or moral perspective.

a moral predicament

Emphasizes a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation from the moral point of view.

FAQs

How can I use "a concern of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "a concern of conscience" to describe a situation where someone is troubled by ethical considerations. For example: "Reporting the fraud became "a concern of conscience" for the employee, as it went against their values."

What's a similar phrase to "a concern of conscience"?

Alternatives include "a matter of conscience", "an ethical dilemma", or "a moral quandary". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "a concern of conscience" formal or informal?

"A concern of conscience" is generally considered neutral to formal. While understandable in most contexts, it is most fitting in discussions of ethics, morality, or personal values.

What is the difference between "a concern of conscience" and "an ethical consideration"?

"A concern of conscience" highlights the personal, internal conflict someone experiences when faced with an ethical issue. "An ethical consideration" is a more general term that simply means an element or factor to consider from an ethical or moral perspective, without necessarily involving personal conflict.