a concerning development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a concerning development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or event that raises worry or alarm. Example: "The recent spike in cyberattacks is a concerning development for national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"That's a concerning development; it just further complicates things," he said.

The Guardian

In a concerning development for Labor, the poll of Hindmarsh found the Liberal party comfortably leading with 55% after preferences.

The Guardian

The spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said Mr. ElBaradei's resignation was a "concerning development," noting that he and Mr. Kerry shared a desire "to get back on a productive path".

The New York Times

"This is a concerning development, but we now have better tools than ever before to combat Ebola," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization's director-general, said in a statement Thursday.

Huffington Post

Although apparently not widespread, vancomycin resistance is a concerning development that must be closely monitored because it is an alternative agent for prophylaxis in penicillin-allergic patients at high risk for anaphylaxis (10 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It's a very concerning development".

The New York Times

"This is a very concerning development but not, frankly, out of pattern for the North lately," Mr. Morrell said on MSNBC's "Daily Rundown".

The New York Times

"We have not seen this kind of physical threat and intimidation before and it is a very concerning development in the government's attempts to silence local people trying to monitor human rights violations in the annual harvest and promoting the enforcement of local and international laws prohibiting forced labour.

The Guardian

A most concerning development is the increasing occurrence of strains resistant to carbapenems or even to last resource antimicrobial agents including colistin or the new antibiotic tigecycline [1] [4].

Plosone

Katherine Murphy, CEO of the Patients Association, said the letter was an "extremely concerning development" that highlights the strain A&E services are under.

BBC

Moreover, a prolonged period of exclusive breastfeeding seems to have a positive impact on cognitive development, and a protective effect concerning development of chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes [ 3].

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a concerning development", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific aspect of the situation is causing concern to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a concerning development" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "a worrying trend" or "a troubling situation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a concerning development" functions as a noun phrase, where "concerning" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "development". As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to identify a situation or event that is a cause for worry or alarm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a concerning development" is a noun phrase used to express worry about a particular situation or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal communication, conveying a sense of unease or apprehension. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "a worrying trend" or "a troubling situation". When using the phrase, ensure clarity about what specific aspect of the development is causing concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worrisome development

This alternative is a direct synonym, simply replacing "concerning" with "worrisome".

a worrying trend

This alternative focuses on the pattern or direction of events causing concern.

a troubling situation

This phrase highlights the problematic nature of the circumstances.

an alarming development

This option emphasizes the sudden and potentially dangerous nature of the event.

a disturbing event

This highlights the unsettling nature of the situation.

an unsettling turn of events

This phrase focuses on the disturbing and unexpected nature of the change.

a regrettable occurrence

This suggests something undesirable has taken place.

a disquieting matter

This indicates a situation that causes anxiety or unease.

a vexing issue

This emphasizes the problematic and irritating nature of the situation.

a bothersome circumstance

This suggests the situation is causing trouble or inconvenience.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a concerning development" in a sentence?

Use "a concerning development" to introduce a situation that warrants attention and potential action due to its negative implications. For instance, "The lack of progress in renewable energy adoption is "a concerning development" for climate goals".

What are some alternatives to saying "a concerning development"?

You can use alternatives such as "a worrying trend", "a troubling situation", or "an alarming development" to convey a similar sense of unease or worry.

Is it appropriate to use "a concerning development" in formal writing?

Yes, "a concerning development" is suitable for formal writing, including reports, articles, and professional communications, as it conveys concern in a clear and professional manner.

What makes "a concerning development" different from "a worrying development"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. "Concerning" may suggest a more thoughtful or analytical worry, while "worrying" might imply a more emotional or immediate sense of unease. However, in most contexts, the difference is negligible, making "a worrying development" a close synonym.