a genuine concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a genuine concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a worry or issue that is sincere and heartfelt. Example: "The community expressed a genuine concern about the impact of the new development on local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Security is a genuine concern.

The New York Times

That is a genuine concern he has expressed to me".

Independent

To him, perhaps, but it was — is? — a genuine concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Hitting the giants addresses a genuine concern about banks whose size poses systemic dangers.

The Economist

"It was a genuine concern of his, very profound, and at a very high level".

The New York Times

He always had a genuine concern for the kids he coached, not for his record".

The New York Times - Sports

But, elections aside, a genuine concern for fellow Tamils also exists.

The Economist

Her scepticism, and a genuine concern that drugs should be distributed safely, are delaying provision.

The Economist

In Prey that means a genuine concern about the emergence of artificial organisms.

The Guardian - Books

The first is to recognise Scotland has a genuine concern about Brexit.

The Guardian - Opinion

That may sound callous, but it has to be a genuine concern for the band.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a genuine concern" when you want to emphasize the sincerity and validity of a worry or issue. It adds weight to the statement and suggests a deeper level of care or consideration.

Common error

While "a genuine concern" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler expressions like "I'm worried" or "That's a problem" may be more suitable for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a genuine concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a specific worry or issue that is considered sincere and authentic, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a genuine concern" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a sincere worry or issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is found across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where emphasizing authenticity and validity is crucial. When aiming for more casual communication, simpler alternatives may be preferable. Keep in mind that while "a genuine concern" and "a real concern" are similar, the former emphasizes sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a real worry

Replaces 'genuine concern' with 'real worry', emphasizing the feeling of anxiety.

a sincere worry

Substitutes 'genuine' with 'sincere', focusing on the honesty of the concern.

a legitimate worry

Replaces 'genuine' with 'legitimate', implying the concern is valid and justified.

a valid concern

Similar to 'legitimate worry', highlighting the rationality behind the concern.

a pressing issue

Shifts the focus to the urgency of the concern.

a significant issue

Replaces concern with issue highlighting the impact of the concern.

a major problem

Conveys a stronger sense of severity than "a genuine concern".

a serious matter

Emphasizes the gravity of the situation or concern.

a cause for alarm

Highlights that concern should trigger the alert status.

reason for apprehension

A more formal alternative, indicating a feeling of anxiety or fear about a future event.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "a genuine concern" in a sentence?

Use "a genuine concern" to emphasize a worry that is sincere and heartfelt. For instance, "There is "a genuine concern" among residents about the increasing traffic in the neighborhood".

What are some alternatives to saying "a genuine concern"?

Alternatives include "a real worry", "a sincere worry", or "a legitimate worry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a genuine concern" and "a real concern"?

While both phrases are similar, "a genuine concern" emphasizes sincerity and authenticity, whereas "a real concern" simply highlights the existence of the worry. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the sincerity or the actuality of the concern.

When is it best to use "a genuine concern" versus "a worry"?

"A genuine concern" is more formal and emphasizes the validity and sincerity of the worry. "A worry" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Use "a genuine concern" when you want to convey a sense of importance and authenticity about the worry.