a former concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an issue or topic that was previously a concern but may no longer be relevant or pressing. Example: "The company's financial stability was a former concern, but recent improvements have alleviated those worries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obviously, the wave that came with Go Set a Watchman washed that former concern out to sea.

The Guardian - Books

His father retired as the president of Aeco Maritime, a former shipping concern based in Athens.

The New York Times - Style

The former concern artificially created devices such as computers.

Harvard University

In recent months, positive steps have been taken to address the former concern.

The Guardian

Whilst the former concern only the critical cross-sections along the beam span, the latter treats the beam as a whole.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

The former concern is sufficiently high to have prompted the FDA to convene an advisory committee to review the findings.

Forbes

The company addressed the former concern by hiring Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to design the building's exterior.

Wikipedia

His former "concern" for black issues has revealed itself as pure convenience.

Huffington Post

Speaking on the House floor, Florida Republican Representative Richard Nugent— himself a former sheriff dismi​ssed concerns about transferring military-grade gear to police as obviously ridiculous.

Vice

The former concerns what comprises a suitable basis for moral appraisal of an agent.

SEP

The former concerns particularly the use of specific ingredients of biomedicine.

Social Science & Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a former concern", ensure the context clearly indicates what the concern was and why it is no longer relevant. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the shift in focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a former concern" without providing sufficient context. Readers may not know what the original concern was, making the statement meaningless. Always clarify the past issue for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "former" modifies the noun "concern". It denotes something that previously caused worry or attention but is no longer a pressing issue. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former concern" is a phrase used to describe something that was previously a source of worry or attention but is no longer relevant. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. However, due to the lack of real-world examples in the search data, understanding its usage patterns is based on inference rather than concrete evidence. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify what the concern was and why it is no longer relevant to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a past worry

Replaces "concern" with a more straightforward synonym and maintains the adjective-noun structure.

a previous anxiety

Substitutes both "former" and "concern" with synonyms to alter the phrasing.

an earlier apprehension

Uses "earlier" and "apprehension" to convey a sense of something previously worried about.

a one-time worry

Emphasizes the past nature of the concern, highlighting it no longer exists.

a prior issue

Replaces "concern" with "issue", framing it as a problem from the past.

a resolved problem

Focuses on the fact that the concern is no longer active because it has been dealt with.

a bygone anxiety

Uses more formal language to indicate something that caused worry in the past.

something that used to worry

Expresses the idea as a clause, directly stating the worry existed before.

what we used to worry about

Frames the concern as a shared experience from the past.

an issue that has been addressed

Highlights that the previous concern has been actively resolved or managed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former concern" to refer to something that was previously worrisome but is no longer an issue. For example, "The company's financial stability was "a former concern", but recent investments have improved its standing."

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

You can use alternatives like "a past worry", "a previous anxiety", or "an earlier apprehension" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a former concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "a former concern" is suitable for formal writing, as it clearly and professionally indicates a past issue. However, ensure your audience understands the initial concern without additional explanation.

What's the difference between "a former concern" and "a current concern"?

"A former concern" refers to an issue that was previously relevant but is no longer a source of worry. In contrast, "a current concern" denotes an issue that is presently causing worry or requiring attention.