a stab of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stab of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden feeling of worry or anxiety about something. Example: "When she heard the news, a stab of concern shot through her, making her question everything she thought she knew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I felt a stab of concern for her unborn child.

The Guardian

When Dean held back a moment, Nathan felt a stab of concern.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She felt a stab of sadness.

The New York Times

Yes, I thought with a stab of satisfaction, they were.

The New York Times

"Jean-Pierre was struck by a stab of jealousy.

The Guardian - Books

I felt a stab of jealousy.

Vice

Like the stabbing in the park in Stoke Newington, it showed a disturbing lack of concern over the prospect of getting caught.

The Guardian

She gives a verbal stab of contempt and complaint.

The Guardian - Film

Once, I experienced a stab and I right away thought of death.

BMJ Open

Millward Brown, a market-research company, is one of several that takes a stab at it.

The Economist

The surgical sectioning of the ACL of the right knee was performed through a stab wound, as previously described [ 6].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a stab of concern" to vividly describe a sudden, sharp feeling of worry or anxiety. It adds a dramatic flair to your writing, making the emotion more palpable for the reader.

Common error

While "a stab of concern" is effective for conveying emotion, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "a sense of concern" or "a feeling of worry" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stab of concern" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the subject complement or object of a verb, describing a sudden feeling. Ludwig examples show its use in narrative contexts to convey a character's immediate emotional response.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stab of concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict a sudden and sharp feeling of worry. While Ludwig examples reveal its usage is relatively rare, it is deemed correct and appropriate by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as science-related contexts, this phrase effectively conveys immediate apprehension. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "a sense of concern" may be more suitable. Remember to consider your audience and the desired tone when employing this somewhat dramatic expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A pang of anxiety

Replaces "stab" with "pang" and "concern" with "anxiety", offering a slightly more intense emotional connotation.

A jolt of worry

Substitutes "stab" with "jolt" and "concern" with "worry", emphasizing the sudden and unsettling nature of the feeling.

A wave of apprehension

Uses "wave" instead of "stab" and "apprehension" for "concern", depicting a spreading feeling of unease.

A surge of unease

Employs "surge" to replace "stab" and "unease" for "concern", highlighting the rising intensity of discomfort.

A sudden feeling of worry

Expands the phrase to explicitly state "feeling of worry", offering a more descriptive alternative.

A moment of anxiety

Focuses on the temporal aspect, suggesting a brief period of anxiousness.

An acute sense of worry

Replaces "stab" with "acute sense", indicating a sharp and immediate perception of worry.

A flash of concern

Uses "flash" to describe the suddenness of the concern, suggesting a brief but noticeable feeling.

A fleeting worry

Highlights the transient nature of the worry, implying it passes quickly.

An instant of apprehension

Emphasizes the immediacy of the apprehension, conveying a rapid onset of unease.

FAQs

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

You can use "a stab of concern" to describe a sudden feeling of worry. For example, "When she heard the news, a stab of concern shot through her."

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

You can use alternatives like "a pang of anxiety", "a jolt of worry", or "a wave of apprehension" depending on the context.

Is "a stab of concern" a common phrase?

The phrase "a stab of concern" is not very common, so consider your audience and context when using it. While grammatically correct, it might be perceived as slightly dramatic or literary.

What's the difference between "a stab of concern" and "a sense of concern"?

"A stab of concern" implies a sudden, sharp feeling of worry, while "a sense of concern" suggests a more general, ongoing feeling of worry or unease.