a thing of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thing of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or matter that is troubling or requires attention. Example: "The rising levels of pollution in the city have become a thing of concern for local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a thing of concern that their relative high knowledge of MIP did not inform high level of positive attitude towards the use of ITNs in particular.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In Nigeria, it remains a thing of concern that despite the proven efficacy of this preventive intervention and its supposed availability, malaria still constitutes a serious threat to maternal and neonatal health.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Will the days of Obama's high-profile courtship of these financial titans become a thing of the past, as concerns over tax hikes take center stage?

Forbes

"What the RFRA does is potentially give a defense to a business owner that wants to discriminate against a gay customer … that's the thing of concern," says Sam Bagenstos, the Frank Millard Professor of Law at the University of Michigan.

Huffington Post

The recent death of Trayvon Martin combined with the Tulsa killings should be a troubling wake-up call for those who thought racism was a thing of the past and particularly concerning for white adopting parents as foresight of what potential pitfalls their children may face by simply being black in America.

Huffington Post

"What we saw this summer was transactions going up; inventory looks like it's stabilizing; the only thing of concern right now is prices are still dropping".

The New York Times

Still, the RNC officials said it was unusual but not surprising that the Ukraine plank was the only thing of concern to the Trump camp, given Manafort's business ties to the country's former president, Victor Yanukovych.

HuffPost

But under President Trump such concerns are a thing of the past for Murdoch.

The Guardian

Refer to things of concern to you both.

The Guardian

"It makes it easier in that you know the things of concern to the judges.

The New York Times - Sports

"There were two first things of concern," Mr. Aufhauser, now general counsel of the Treasury Department, said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thing of concern" to introduce a topic that warrants attention or action, especially when highlighting potential negative consequences if ignored.

Common error

Avoid using "a thing of concern" repeatedly in a single text. Opt for synonyms like "matter of concern" or "cause for alarm" to maintain reader engagement and add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thing of concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particular issue or situation as worrisome or requiring attention. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to introduce a subject that causes anxiety.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a thing of concern" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to identify an issue that causes worry or needs attention. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English and suitable for various contexts, as it has a neutral register. While not extremely common, it is employed in both news and scientific domains to highlight societal problems. For variety in writing, alternatives such as "matter of concern" or "cause for alarm" can be used. Be careful about overusing the phrase and remember to keep the writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", emphasizing anxiety.

a cause for alarm

Indicates a higher degree of urgency and potential danger.

a troubling issue

Highlights that the issue is disturbing or upsetting.

a reason to be worried

More explicitly states the feeling of unease.

a source of anxiety

Focuses on the psychological impact of the concern.

something to be concerned about

A more verbose and slightly less formal phrasing.

an issue of importance

Shifts the focus to significance rather than worry.

a significant problem

Highlights the problematic nature of the subject.

a worrying development

Specifically refers to a change or unfolding situation.

a point of contention

Indicates disagreement or conflict surrounding the issue.

FAQs

What does "a thing of concern" mean?

The expression "a thing of concern" refers to something that causes worry or anxiety, indicating a problem or issue that needs attention.

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

You can use "a thing of concern" to introduce a subject that is troubling or requires attention. For example, "The lack of clean water is "a thing of concern" for many communities."

What are some alternatives to "a thing of concern"?

Alternatives to "a thing of concern" include "matter of concern", "cause for alarm", and "troubling issue". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "a thing of concern" formal or informal?

"A thing of concern" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, more precise synonyms might be preferred.