a proper concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proper concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or matter that is deemed appropriate or justified to be worried about. Example: "The rising pollution levels in our city are a proper concern for all residents who care about their health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The possibility of abuse of the public service and its members or the multiplication at public expense of political advisers and opinion formers is a proper concern of parliament and its committees and regulators.

The Economist

The matter of "positioning oneself among others in the social world" is a complex one, so discovering the right mix of attitudes and feelings "may be like finding the centre of gravity of a cloud".Sometimes, he writes, it is plain that the balance between self-interest and a proper concern for others has been seriously upset.

The Economist

A six-month wait for the Bank of England to launch its special liquidity scheme, with the governor being more concerned by moral hazard than financial stability - a proper concern for an isolated bank bail-out but wildly off the mark for a systemic crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Later on in the tradition, Dai Zhen defended the legitimacy of self-interested desire as long as it is tempered by a proper concern for others (see Tiwald, 2011a; and section 2.8).

SEP

Though he frequently states that the political rulers have a proper concern to lead people to virtue, these statements turn out to refer to the appropriate aspirations of rulers, not to their coercive jurisdiction or authority.

SEP

As I tried to explain in my last column, the modern G.O.P. has been taken over by an ideology in which the suffering of the unfortunate isn't a proper concern of government, and alleviating that suffering at taxpayer expense is immoral, never mind how little it costs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These are the proper concern of a magistrate or civil government.

SEP

If this fact seems highly pertinent to what we should do, this indicates that freedom may not be the ultimate value the distribution of which is the proper concern of an equality ideal.

SEP

The quite proper concern of government for efficiency and targets and accessibility has its place.

The Guardian - Music

When it comes to footwear, she implies, beauty is secondary... and comfort is the proper concern of the dowdy.

The New York Times

Testifying before a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee in 1982, he said: "Truth is the government's only proper concern in the regulation of advertising practices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a proper concern" to emphasize that a worry or issue is not frivolous or unfounded, but rather deserves serious attention.

Common error

Avoid using "a proper concern" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a valid worry" or "a legitimate apprehension" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proper concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as an appropriate or legitimate reason for worry or attention. As noted by Ludwig AI, it appears in contexts where validating a specific worry is required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proper concern" is a phrase used to describe something that is a valid or justified reason for worry or attention. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, though less common. It is often found in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, emphasizing its suitability for neutral to formal registers. When using this phrase, remember to convey the legitimacy and appropriateness of the worry or issue at hand. Consider using synonyms like "a legitimate worry" or "a valid apprehension" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", and "proper" with "legitimate", emphasizing the validity of the concern.

a valid apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension" and "proper" with "valid", highlighting the well-founded nature of the fear.

a justified anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "proper" with "justified", indicating a reasonable basis for the anxious feeling.

a warranted worry

Uses "warranted" to emphasize that the worry is justified and appropriate.

an appropriate consideration

Shifts focus slightly to the act of considering something as important and suitable for attention.

a rightful preoccupation

Emphasizes that the concern is something one is entitled to be focused on.

a reasonable fear

Simple substitution highlighting the rationality of the fear.

a well-founded concern

Emphasizes the solid basis or evidence supporting the concern.

an understandable worry

Highlights that the worry is easy to comprehend and empathize with.

a due consideration

Emphasizes that an appropriate level of attention and thought should be given to it.

FAQs

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

You can use "a proper concern" to indicate that something is an appropriate or justified reason for worry or attention. For example, "Environmental pollution is "a proper concern" for all citizens".

What are some alternatives to "a proper concern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a legitimate worry", "a valid apprehension", or "a justified anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a proper concern" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you want to emphasize that a particular issue deserves serious consideration or attention. It suggests that the concern is not trivial or unfounded.

What's the difference between "a proper concern" and "a general concern"?

"A proper concern" implies that the worry or issue is justified and deserving of attention, while "a general concern" simply means that it is a common or widespread worry without necessarily implying its validity or importance.