a key concern is whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key concern is whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing important issues or uncertainties related to a specific topic or situation. Example: "In the context of climate change, a key concern is whether we can achieve our emission reduction targets in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A key concern is whether the newly merged company might use its huge distribution network (the customers of DirecTV and its wireless and broadband services) to give an unfair advantage to its own content, delivering it in a way that is faster or more accessible than competitor content.

The Guardian - Business

In a briefing paper on health and social care devolution, published on Wednesday, it says: "A key concern is whether the NHS can cope [with devolution] at the same time as it attempts to tackle some of the pressing challenges it currently faces.

The Guardian

A key concern is whether international migration desire is related to the actual migration.

IZA Journal of Migration

A key concern is whether detection bias could have influenced the association we observed between history of prostatitis and prostate cancer risk.

Plosone

A key concern is whether these internationally recommended practices are acceptable and will be demanded by the target community.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

When the exposure of interest is a germline polymorphism, a key concern is whether the genotype assayed from tumor-derived DNA is representative of the germline.

Clinical Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A key concern is that, whether universities win or lose, the system will irrevocably skew the very data it sets out to measure.

The Guardian

A key concern is therefore whether firms' reporting practices reflect substantive or symbolic behaviour, the latter often referred to as "green washing" (Delmas and Burbano, 2011).

Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility

One key concern is whether RPS policies offer adequate support to a wide range of renewable energy technologies and applications or whether, alternatively, they will favor a small number of the currently least-cost forms of renewable energy.

Energy Policy

The key concern is whether their network infrastructure is up to task.

TechCrunch

One key concern is whether participants attentively respond to survey questions or whether they exert less than full effort.

Ecological Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key concern is whether", ensure that the 'whether' clause clearly presents the uncertainty or question being addressed. This helps to focus the reader's attention on the core issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a key concern is whether" when the issue is not genuinely a matter of uncertainty. If the outcome is already known or highly predictable, a more direct statement would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key concern is whether" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a central issue that depends on a particular condition or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key concern is whether" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a significant issue contingent on a particular condition. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts, highlighting uncertainties and potential problems. While alternatives exist, such as "a primary issue is if", the original phrase provides a clear and direct way to emphasize both the importance and uncertainty of a subject. Remember to use this phrase when you want to focus the reader's attention on a central question that needs to be addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A primary issue is if

Replaces "concern" with "issue" and "whether" with "if", simplifying the structure.

A major question is whether

Substitutes "concern" with "question", highlighting the interrogative aspect.

A significant worry is if

Uses "worry" instead of "concern" and "if" instead of "whether", changing the tone slightly.

The main problem is if

Replaces "key concern" with "main problem", emphasizing the problematic aspect.

The central dilemma revolves around whether

Introduces a more complex vocabulary, replacing "concern" with "dilemma" and adding "revolves around".

A critical consideration is if

Emphasizes the importance of the consideration, replacing "key concern" with "critical consideration".

Of utmost importance is the question of whether

Significantly increases formality and emphasizes the importance of the subsequent question.

It is crucial to determine whether

Shifts the focus to the act of determining, rather than the concern itself.

The pressing matter is if

Replaces "key concern" with "pressing matter", underscoring urgency.

The pivotal question hinges on whether

Employs more figurative language, suggesting that everything depends on the answer.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a key concern is whether" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is crucial to determine whether" or "of utmost importance is the question of whether".

What are some alternatives to "a key concern is whether" that are less wordy?

You can use simpler phrases like "a primary issue is if" or "a major question is whether" to convey the same meaning more concisely.

Is it grammatically correct to use "a key concern is if" instead of "a key concern is whether"?

While "a key concern is if" is sometimes used, "a key concern is whether" is generally considered more grammatically correct, especially in formal writing. "Whether" explicitly introduces an alternative, while "if" introduces a condition.

When is it appropriate to use "a key concern is whether" in a sentence?

Use "a key concern is whether" when you want to highlight an important issue that hinges on a specific uncertainty or question. It's suitable for discussions, analyses, and reports where identifying and framing key concerns is essential.