a lack of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone does not show interest or worry about a particular issue or matter. Example: "The report highlighted a lack of concern among management regarding employee well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's a lack of compassion and a lack of concern".

The New York Times

They would have been caused by a lack of money: not a lack of concern.

The Guardian

Mr. Obama's public distancing, White House officials insist, does not reflect a lack of concern.

The New York Times

The article suggests a lack of concern about diversity in hiring.

The New York Times

I had mistrusted my own family's mild temperament, thinking that it indicated a lack of concern or feeling.

The New York Times

Whether intentional or not, the failure to communicate with family members conveys a lack of concern about their loss.

The New York Times - Health

Is there a lack of concern about security among senior officials and a concomitant inadequacy of priority and resources?

The New York Times

This may not have been calculated rudeness, but it certainly shows a lack of concern for American sensitivities.

The Guardian - Opinion

They went on to vent frustration at what they said was a lack of concern by federal leaders.

The New York Times

But Morgan McKinley said its survey showed a "lack of concern around the bonus cap" in London's financial district.

The New York Times

"I don't think there is a lack of concern among communities of color around environmental issues," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lack of concern", clearly specify what the concern is lacking for. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Be cautious not to use "a lack of concern" when 'no need for concern' is more appropriate. For instance, if a situation is under control, stating there's no need for concern is clearer than stating there's "a lack of concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement of a verb. As shown in Ludwig, it often describes a deficiency or absence of worry or care towards a specific issue or group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lack of concern" is a frequently used noun phrase that points to an absence of worry, care, or interest. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, especially in news, science, and formal business settings. While semantically close alternatives exist, such as "indifference" or "disregard", being specific about what the concern lacks is important for clarity. Remembering that using "a lack of concern" doesn't always imply a negative situation is key; sometimes, there's simply no need for concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconcern

A direct synonym, providing a slightly more formal alternative.

absence of worry

Breaks down the phrase to its core components, offering a more descriptive alternative.

indifference

Emphasizes a neutral attitude, neither positive nor negative, differing from "a lack of concern" which implies a negative absence.

disregard

Highlights the act of ignoring or neglecting something, whereas "a lack of concern" focuses on the absence of worry.

apathy

Implies a lack of feeling or emotion, going beyond a simple lack of worry to suggest a broader emotional detachment.

disinterest

Focuses on a lack of interest or engagement, rather than a lack of worry or care.

lack of interest

Highlights the absence of curiosity or enthusiasm, shifting the focus from concern to engagement.

nonchalance

Suggests a casual lack of concern, often implying a deliberate effort to appear unbothered.

carelessness

Implies a negligent lack of concern, suggesting a failure to take necessary precautions.

complacency

Indicates a self-satisfied lack of concern, often implying a sense of security that may be unwarranted.

FAQs

What does "a lack of concern" mean?

The phrase "a lack of concern" indicates an absence of worry, care, or interest regarding something. It suggests that someone is not showing enough attention or importance to a particular matter.

How can I use "a lack of concern" in a sentence?

You can use "a lack of concern" to describe a person's attitude or a general situation. For example: "The report highlighted a lack of concern among management regarding employee well-being."

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

You can use alternatives like "indifference", "disregard", or "apathy" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a lack of concern" or "no concern"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a lack of concern" is generally used to describe an existing deficiency. "No concern" can sometimes imply a deliberate choice not to be concerned or that there's no need to be concerned.