a severe concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe concern" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a worry or issue that is causing significant worry or distress. Example: The recent increase in air pollution levels has become a severe concern for the residents of our city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The NHS England boss told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If Mark Carney is right, then that is a severe concern for the National Health Service, because it would be very dangerous if at precisely the moment the NHS is going to need extra funding, actually the economy goes into a tailspin and that funding is not there.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is really an indicator of how severe Concern 1 is.

Huffington Post

Although mismanagement of children with severe illness is a serious concern, it should be noted that, even if referral rates are low, iCCM can still contribute to substantial reductions in mortality through the early management of illnesses, thus preventing children from becoming severely ill in the first place.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Four percent of schools were placed in the "severe concern" category, which meant that 25 percent or more of a school's classes were flagged.

The New York Times

All of those schools are now on the "severe concern" list.

The New York Times

Gill issued a statement to the Press Association on Saturday to confirm that he will not take up the role and expressed his severe concern at how football will change – or the lack of change – with Blatter still at the helm.

Independent

But the government, in its first official reaction, expressed "severe concern and dissatisfaction" about conditions that the House attached to the bill, including a new annual review of human rights, calling it an unacceptable effort to "interfere in China's internal affairs and damage China's interests".

The New York Times

One school that made the "severe concern" list was Kennedy Middle School in Atlanta, which has won praise for improving after more than five years of failing to meet federal student achievement standards.

The New York Times

In that regard, at-risk populations, the levels seem to suggest there could be really severe concern for the health-related impacts.

Huffington Post

The total score ranges from 7 (no concern about falling) to 28 (severe concern about falling).

BMC Geriatrics

A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted the office's "severe concerns" over "serious due process irregularities" in the trials.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe concern", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern and why it is considered severe. Provide specific details to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe concern" for minor issues. Reserve this phrase for situations where the potential negative consequences are genuinely significant and impactful. Overusing it can dilute its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe concern" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it identifies something as causing significant worry or unease. The Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a high level of worry or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms it's suitable for written English. While not extremely common, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using "a severe concern", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause and potential impact of the concern to emphasize its gravity. Alternatives like "a serious worry" or "a grave matter" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "severe" with "serious", offering a slightly less formal tone.

a critical issue

Highlights the urgency and importance, focusing on the need for immediate attention.

a grave matter

Emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the issue, using "grave" to denote significance.

a pressing anxiety

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of the concern, suggesting a strong feeling of unease.

a significant apprehension

Uses a more formal term, "apprehension", to convey a sense of worry or fear about something.

a major preoccupation

Shifts the focus to something that dominates thoughts and actions, implying significant worry.

a considerable unease

Indicates a notable level of discomfort or anxiety, focusing on the feeling of being unsettled.

a paramount consideration

Elevates the issue to the highest level of importance, suggesting it must be addressed before others.

a profound disquiet

Conveys a deep sense of unease or anxiety, suggesting a significant emotional impact.

a deep-seated fear

Highlights the deeply ingrained nature of the concern, suggesting a long-lasting impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe concern" to describe something that causes significant worry or distress. For example, "The lack of funding for education is "a severe concern" for parents and educators."

What are some alternatives to using "a severe concern"?

Alternatives include "a serious worry", "a grave matter", or "a critical issue". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of "a severe concern", you can say "the budget cuts are "a serious worry"".

Is it more appropriate to say "a severe concern" or "a serious concern"?

Both "a severe concern" and "a serious concern" are grammatically correct, but "severe" implies a greater degree of intensity than "serious". Choose the word that best reflects the level of worry or risk involved. For example, for an immediate threat, you could say "this represents "a serious worry"", while for an issue of global impact, "this is "a severe concern"".

What distinguishes "a severe concern" from "a mild concern"?

"A severe concern" indicates a high level of worry or risk, with potentially significant negative consequences. In contrast, "a mild concern" suggests a lesser degree of worry or risk, with potentially minor consequences. For example, "rising sea levels are "a severe concern"", while "the new office layout is "a mild concern"".