a difficult concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a challenging issue or problem that requires attention or consideration. Example: "The committee is facing a difficult concern regarding the budget allocation for the upcoming year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The representation of boundaries in imbalanced data sets is a difficult concern for learning algorithms.

Journal of Big Data

Metastasis to the central nervous system (CNS) is a difficult concern to be resolved in many types of cancer as a result of inadequate penetration of antitumor agents, difficult accessibility, and neurological symptoms leading to a decreased performance status, and lung cancer is the leading cancer to metastasize to the brain.

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

One obvious, and difficult, concern is that any postulated latent-level effects should have worldly counterparts, and postulated absences of effects should correspond to worldly lacuna.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The down-side of that position is, however, a whole set of difficult concerns to do with things, such as nature or persons, that hardly qualify as art even though they invite aesthetic experiences.

SEP

Moreover, treatment of infections is particularly difficult concerning constant immunosuppression.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

However, accurate prediction of piles' settlement is particularly difficult concerning complicated consolidation process and pile-soil interaction.

Procedia Engineering

And here she looks back to her childhood, when a difficult decision might concern how to spend a nickel.

The New York Times - Books

The increasing prevalence of suicide bombing attacks, striking at unexpected times and places and oftentimes causing multidimensional injuries with components of penetrating trauma, blast injury, and burns [ 2], has made treating victims of these attacks a difficult and pressing concern.

Critical Care

Be prepared to discuss criticism of yourself when approaching a difficult boss with concerns.

WikiHow

Our experiments concern a difficult problem of chemical toxicity prediction.

Pattern Recognition

This one concerns a difficult Far-Eastern client.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult concern", ensure that the context clearly identifies what makes the concern 'difficult'. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult concern" as a generic phrase. Replace it with more descriptive language that specifies the exact nature of the difficulty and the area of concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult concern" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies and characterizes a specific issue or problem that is challenging or troublesome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a challenging or troubling issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although relatively infrequent, the phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media sources. When using "a difficult concern", be specific about the nature of the difficulty and the area of concern to enhance clarity. While correct, remember that alternative phrases like "a challenging issue" or "a troubling problem" may provide more descriptive or context-appropriate options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging issue

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging', focusing on the demanding nature of the concern.

a troubling problem

Substitutes 'difficult concern' with 'troubling problem', emphasizing the problematic aspect.

a serious worry

Replaces 'difficult' with 'serious' and 'concern' with 'worry', highlighting the gravity of the issue.

a complex matter

Uses 'complex matter' instead of 'difficult concern', focusing on the intricate nature of the issue.

a grave apprehension

Replaces 'difficult' with 'grave' and 'concern' with 'apprehension', suggesting a deep sense of unease.

a thorny question

Uses 'thorny question' to convey the problematic and sensitive nature of the concern.

a pressing dilemma

Replaces 'difficult concern' with 'pressing dilemma', emphasizing the urgency and difficulty of the situation.

a complicated predicament

Substitutes the original phrase with 'complicated predicament' to convey a complex and challenging situation.

a delicate situation

Replaces 'difficult concern' with 'delicate situation', focusing on the need for careful handling.

a sensitive issue

Uses 'sensitive issue' instead of 'difficult concern', highlighting the potential for emotional or controversial reactions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a difficult concern" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a challenging issue", "a complex matter", or "a grave apprehension". These alternatives often carry a more serious and professional connotation.

What are some synonyms for "difficult" in the context of "a difficult concern"?

Alternatives include "challenging", "complex", "troubling", "serious", and "sensitive", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a difficult concern"?

While grammatically correct, "a difficult concern" might sound somewhat vague. Consider whether a more specific and descriptive phrase would better capture the essence of the issue at hand.

Can "a difficult concern" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While usable in both, it tends to fit better in more formal or neutral contexts. In informal settings, simpler terms like "a tough problem" or "a big worry" might be more appropriate.