a wave of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wave of concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a shared feeling of worry or apprehension about a particular issue. For example: "The news of the layoffs sparked a wave of concern among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A wave of concern swept the room.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Still, it caused a wave of concern over imported raw milk cheeses that many cheese fanciers feared would be banned.

The New York Times

Turkey allowed the value of its currency to be decided by market forces, and it fell more than 25percentt, sending a wave of concern through foreign markets.

The New York Times

In recent years, the rise of the e-reader has created a wave of concern about the fate of marginalia, as well as attempts to preserve them.

The New Yorker

The couple's detention has touched off a wave of concern about investigators who conduct research on companies in China on behalf of investors.

The New York Times

Mr. Tsipras's surprising success in the last elections on May 6, when he came in second, set off a wave of concern across Europe.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Charities have been hit by a wave of concerns about what they do and why, and charity leaders must consider their responses carefully.

The Guardian

All along, the state's involvement — including Mr. Snyder's decision to send in an emergency manager — has carried racial implications, setting off a wave of concerns for some in Detroit that the mostly white Republican-led state government was trying to seize control of Detroit, a Democratic city where more than 80 percent of residents are black.

The New York Times

At that point there was a wave of environmental concern.

Yale University

When researchers Frey and Osborne predicted in 2013 that 47% of US jobs were susceptible to automation by 2050, they set off a wave of dystopian concern.

The Guardian

Widespread response to Saatchi's behaviour has been less marked by arrogance and callousness than it has been by a wave of kindness, concern and empathy for Lawson.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a wave of concern" to effectively describe a shared feeling of worry or apprehension about a specific event or situation. It's most impactful when the concern is widespread and noticeable.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of concern" as a catch-all phrase. Be specific about the emotion: is it anxiety, fear, or simply unease? Choosing a more precise term enhances clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a wave of concern" is to act as a noun phrase, typically functioning as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig shows, it describes a shared emotional state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of concern" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a widespread feeling of worry or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as academic and scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to consider whether a more specific emotion, such as fear or anxiety, would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "a surge of worry" or "growing apprehension" can offer subtle differences in meaning. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "a wave of concern" to convey the intended emotion with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "wave" with "surge", indicating a sudden and powerful increase in worry.

a rising tide of anxiety

Uses "anxiety" instead of "concern", conveying a stronger sense of worry, and replaces "wave" with "rising tide", emphasizing a gradual increase in anxiety.

a groundswell of unease

Substitutes "concern" with "unease", suggesting a more subtle and pervasive feeling of anxiety, and replaces "wave" with "groundswell", implying a gradual buildup.

growing apprehension

Emphasizes the increasing nature of the feeling, replacing the metaphorical "wave" with "growing" and using the more formal term "apprehension".

mounting disquiet

Replaces "concern" with "disquiet", highlighting a feeling of disturbance or unease, and describes it as "mounting", indicating a gradual increase.

increasing nervousness

Focuses on the emotional aspect, replacing "concern" with "nervousness" and indicating its increase.

a ripple of trepidation

Replaces "concern" with "trepidation", implying a more intense form of fear or anxiety, and substitutes "wave" with "ripple", suggesting a less powerful effect.

heightened anxiety

Focuses on the increase in anxiety levels, suggesting a state of elevated worry.

outbreak of fear

Highlights the sudden and widespread nature of the fear, focusing on an abrupt beginning.

escalating worries

Indicates that the worries are increasing in intensity and scale.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wave of concern" to describe a widespread feeling of worry or apprehension, such as "The announcement of the new policy caused "a wave of concern" among the employees".

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

Some alternatives include "a surge of worry", "a rising tide of anxiety", or "growing apprehension" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a wave of concern" or "a feeling of concern"?

"A wave of concern" implies a widespread and noticeable feeling, while "a feeling of concern" is more general and could refer to an individual's emotion. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "a wave of concern" and "a wave of fear"?

"A wave of concern" suggests worry or unease, while "a wave of fear" indicates a more intense and potentially paralyzing emotion. The choice depends on the severity of the situation and the reaction it evokes.