a fair concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fair concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging that a worry or issue raised by someone is reasonable or justified. Example: "While I understand the project's potential, I also recognize that there is a fair concern regarding its environmental impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This is a fair concern, but it's not a given that R&D will decrease.

Harvard Business Review

One of them is a concern, and I think sometimes a fair concern, that jargon is euphemistic.

Harvard Business Review

That's a fair concern; everybody's sick of the branding hype and endless sales pitches that seem to pervade daily life.

The New York Times - Magazine

That may be a fair concern, but the proposed regulations clearly state that value-added assessment is only one option among many.

The Washington Post

A fair concern, Mr. Retsinas said, adding: "The commission believes in the continued importance of homeownership and there had to be some role for the government to preserve that option for middle-income families".

The New York Times

That is a fair concern, but there are smart ways of dealing with it: Congress could set the tax to adjust automatically if carbon emissions do not hit targets, for example.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But perhaps liberal watchdogs, acting out of a very fair concern about the political intimidation and possibility of violence that actions like this bring with them, have been too quick to dismiss the anger of people like Barclay.

Vice

Addressing the flip, Rubio argued that NASA couldn't afford a prolonged vacancy if the Senate was unable to act this week ― a fair enough concern.

HuffPost

Addressing the flip, Rubio argued that NASA couldn't afford a prolonged vacancy if the Senate was unable to act this week ― a fair enough concern.

Huffington Post

Congressional hearings would at least provide a forum for fair concerns to be aired and answered.

TechCrunch

The word "schadenfreude" has been tossed around a fair amount concerning the public's pleasure in Rupert Murdoch's shame.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When responding to "a fair concern", always aim to address the concern directly with specific information or solutions, rather than simply dismissing it.

Common error

Avoid using "a fair concern" excessively in persuasive writing, as it can weaken your argument by conceding too much ground. Instead, use it strategically to acknowledge legitimate concerns before refuting them with strong evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify a particular worry or issue as legitimate and worthy of consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair concern" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to acknowledge and validate worries or objections. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used correctly. Its usage is common across various domains, especially in news, media, science, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "a valid worry" and "a legitimate apprehension". When using this phrase, remember to address the concern directly with solutions or information. Avoid overusing it in persuasive writing. As seen by Ludwig examples, the most authoritative sources that include this phrase are The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, TechCrunch and HuffPost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "fair" with "valid", emphasizing the legitimacy of the worry.

a well-reasoned concern

Adds "well-reasoned" to describe the concern, highlighting the logical basis for the worry.

a justifiable worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "fair" with "justifiable", reinforcing the idea that the worry is supported by facts.

a legitimate apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension" and "fair" with "legitimate", highlighting the genuine nature of the feeling.

a substantiated worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "fair" with "substantiated", indicating that the worry is supported by evidence.

a well-founded fear

Replaces "concern" with "fear" and "fair" with "well-founded", highlighting that the fear has a solid basis or foundation.

a reasonable anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "fair" with "reasonable", suggesting a moderate level of worry that is justified.

a genuine misgiving

Substitutes "concern" with "misgiving" and "fair" with "genuine", emphasizing the sincerity and authenticity of the feeling.

an understandable fear

Substitutes "concern" with "fear" and "fair" with "understandable", indicating that the fear is easily comprehended or justified.

a warranted reservation

Substitutes "concern" with "reservation" and "fair" with "warranted", emphasizing the validity and necessity of the reservation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fair concern" to acknowledge a valid worry or point raised by someone. For example, "The cost increase is "a fair concern", and we are exploring ways to mitigate it."

What are some alternatives to "a fair concern"?

Alternatives to "a fair concern" include "a valid worry", "a legitimate apprehension", or "a reasonable anxiety". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a fair concern"?

It's appropriate to use "a fair concern" when you want to acknowledge that someone's worry or objection is reasonable and deserves consideration. It's often used in discussions, debates, or negotiations to show empathy and understanding.

Is "a fair concern" the same as "a justified concern"?

While similar, "a fair concern" suggests the concern is reasonable and worthy of attention, while "a justified concern" implies the concern is supported by evidence or facts. Therefore, "a justified concern" carries a stronger implication of validity.