a grave concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave concern" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The global climate crisis is a grave concern for everyone on the planet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is indeed a grave concern.

The Economist

"It's a grave concern for us".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a grave concern," Mr. McDonough said of the delay.

The New York Times

China is a "grave concern" to experts, Hajer said.

The Washington Post

It's more than a "grave concern" to me — it's my family.

The New York Times

And his description of the high unemployment rate as a "grave concern" drew particular notice from his well-versed audience.

The New York Times

This is a grave concern right now because it is beginning to affect our fiscal integrity throughout the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That must have been a grave concern to the brothers, because it threatened to deprive them of their patrimony.

The Economist

The fact that only 15% of teachers in primary schools are male and 38% at secondaries is a grave concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

It remains a grave concern that many nursing students within tertiary institutions continue to experience difficulties with achieving medication calculation competency.

Nurse Education Today

The jobs market is "a grave concern," Ben S. Bernanke, the Fed chairman, said at a news conference after the September meeting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave concern" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and potential negative consequences of a situation. It adds weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave concern" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place if the situation doesn't warrant such gravity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as a serious problem or worry. Ludwig AI shows its use in various contexts to highlight the significance of an issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a grave concern" is a powerful way to express serious worry or apprehension about a particular issue. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and formal business settings. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant a high level of concern, as overuse can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "a serious worry" or "a major apprehension" for situations that require a slightly less formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "grave" with "serious", softening the tone slightly.

a major apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension" and "grave" with "major", focusing on anxiety.

a significant anxiety

Uses "anxiety" to highlight the feeling of unease, and "significant" to emphasize its importance.

a deep unease

Emphasizes the feeling of discomfort and worry.

a cause for alarm

Indicates that the situation should raise immediate attention and worry.

a critical matter

Emphasizes the importance of the situation using "critical" instead of focusing on the emotion.

a pressing issue

Shifts the focus from worry to the urgency of the problem.

a dire situation

Highlights the severity of the circumstances rather than the feeling of concern.

a matter of urgency

Highlights the need for immediate action and attention.

a worrying trend

Focuses on a pattern that causes concern, replacing the general term "concern".

FAQs

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

You can use "a grave concern" to express serious worry about a situation, for example: "The rising unemployment rate is "a grave concern" for the government".

What are some alternatives to "a grave concern"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious worry", "a major apprehension", or "a significant anxiety" depending on the specific context.

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

It is appropriate to use "a grave concern" when you want to convey that a situation is very serious and requires immediate attention. It's best suited for formal writing and discussions.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a grave concern"?

Using "a grave concern" might be inappropriate in casual or informal settings where a less formal expression would be more suitable. Overusing it can also diminish its impact.