a locus of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a locus of concern' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular issue or problem that a person or group of people is focused on or worried about. For example, "Academic standards have become a locus of concern for many public school teachers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bursting housing bubble remains a locus of concern.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whereas envy is a two party relation, with a third relatum that is a good (albeit a good that could be a particular person's affections); and the envious person's locus of concern is the rival.

SEP

In the six weeks since the young survivors of Parkland, Florida, jump-started a vibrant new movement for gun control, its leadership has managed to broaden the locus of concern beyond mass shootings at comfortable suburban schools like Marjory Stoneman Douglas, to gun violence in urban neighborhoods as well.

The New Yorker

Its leadership has managed to broaden the locus of concern beyond mass shootings in schools to gun violence everywhere.

The New Yorker

By Margaret Talbot March 24, 2018 Its leadership has managed to broaden the locus of concern beyond mass shootings in schools to gun violence everywhere.

The New Yorker

Jealousy involves three parties, the subject, the rival, and the beloved; and the jealous person's real locus of concern is the beloved the person whose affection he is losing or fears losing not his rival.

SEP

I argue that inherent difficulty of distinguishing alienating ijime from inclusive teasing among intimates stand as a principle loci of concern that can be tapped to effectively formulate and circulate such links.

University of Chicago

Conversely, results regarding fantasy concerning external solutions suggest a locus of control based on coincidence or destiny, which is linked to the temperament trait of reward dependence.

European Journal of Futures Research

For one character, Paris is "a locus of several desires".

The New York Times - Books

The Middle East will remain a locus of enormous diplomatic attention.

The New Yorker

The natural concern would be that her State Department becomes unto the Obama Presidency what the Powell-Armitage State Department became unto the Bush Presidency — a locus of selective but detailed, dissenting, and ultimately debilitating drip-drip about the White House and its sausage-making.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a locus of concern" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize a specific issue that is the central point of worry or attention. This phrase is particularly useful in academic or journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a locus of concern" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in such settings. Simpler alternatives like "a key issue" or "a main problem" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a locus of concern" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a particular area or issue that is the primary focus of attention or worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to refer to specific issues or problems.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a locus of concern" is a noun phrase used to identify a specific area or issue that is the primary focus of worry or attention. It's best suited for formal contexts, such as academic papers, journalistic articles, or professional reports. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase can be useful when you need to pinpoint a specific point of worry or attention. While grammatically correct, it's relatively infrequent in everyday language. Consider simpler alternatives like "key issue" or "main problem" for informal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news media, scientific, and academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a focal point of worry

Highlights the aspect of worry instead of general concern, adding emphasis.

a center of attention

Focuses on the attracting attention to a specific issue or area, removing the negative connotation of "concern".

a prime area of anxiety

Replaces 'concern' with 'anxiety', suggesting a higher level of worry or unease.

a key area of focus

Emphasizes the concentration of attention, omitting the element of worry.

a major source of apprehension

Replaces 'concern' with 'apprehension', indicating a sense of fear about future events.

a central issue of interest

Shifts the focus to 'interest' rather than 'concern', making it more neutral.

a subject of major deliberation

Indicates serious and careful consideration of the issue, changing the sense of concern.

a significant area of interest

Switches from concern to interest, portraying something that attracts curiosity or attention, rather than worry.

a core problem

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the fundamental issue or difficulty.

a central point of discussion

Highlights the topic of conversation or debate, removing negative implications.

FAQs

What does "a locus of concern" mean?

The phrase "a locus of concern" refers to a particular place, situation, or issue that is the primary focus of worry or attention.

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

You can use alternatives like "a center of attention", "a focal point of worry", or "a central issue of interest" depending on the context.

Is "a locus of concern" formal or informal?

"A locus of concern" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, journalistic, or professional writing. It may sound out of place in casual conversation.

How do I use "a locus of concern" in a sentence?

You can use "a locus of concern" to highlight a specific issue that is the main focus of worry or attention, as in: "Academic standards have become "a locus of concern" for many public school teachers."