a worrying concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation that causes anxiety or unease. For example, "The rising prices of school supplies is a worrying concern for many parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Algeria, this has become a worrying concern.

Annals of Intensive Care

Colistin heteroresistance has been reported among Acinetobacter isolates that are still susceptible to colistin.[8], [32] This is a worrying concern as colistin or polymyxin B is increasingly been used as monotherapy to treat micro-organisms that are reported as susceptible to colistin/polymyxin B only.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Not only has this observation failed to drive any real change to the approach taken to ethical review, but the authors present evidence of a more worrying concern - that the quality of some types of research may be compromised because of the failure to revise the approach taken to ethics review.

BMC Health Services Research

Hussey is the most worrying concern, along with Nathan Hauritz (shoulder), in a list of six Australia injuries heading into the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

But the more worrying concern could be that viewers are switching off following the departure of two of the show's three original stars, Russell Tovey and Aiden Turner.

The Guardian

Perhaps the most worrying concern is that the colonists won't have real-time access to mental health services such as counselling and psychotherapy.

The Guardian

"From a motorists' perspective, these are worrying concerns".

The Guardian - Business

Two main things and a few smaller, but potentially worrying, concerns.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, they highlight worrying concerns about our leaders' abilities to understand, and direct, UK science.

The Guardian

"Alongside the impact of funding cuts to student support, including maintenance grants and the disabled students' allowance, this shows a worrying lack of concern for students living with mental health issues".

The Guardian

"I am writing to you because of our concern over a worrying trend among football clubs to ban reporters and instead have their own hand-picked writers to peddle propaganda from the proprietor's point of view," Stanistreet wrote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a worrying concern", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the worry. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a worrying concern" when "concern" alone suffices. Adding "worrying" should only occur when emphasizing the alarming nature of the issue is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrying concern" functions as a noun phrase where "worrying" modifies the noun "concern", indicating the specific type or quality of the concern. The adjective highlights the potentially negative or problematic aspects of the concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a worrying concern" is a grammatically correct way to express unease about a particular issue. Ludwig AI's analysis and real-world examples show that while not extremely common, it is used in both news and scientific contexts. It's important to ensure the context clearly defines what prompts the worrying aspect. Consider alternative phrases like ""a troubling concern"" or ""a serious concern"" for slightly different shades of meaning. Avoid redundancy by ensuring "worrying" adds genuine emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worrisome concern

Slightly alters the tone by using "worrisome", emphasizing potential trouble.

a troubling concern

Replaces "worrying" with "troubling", highlighting the problematic nature of the concern.

a serious concern

Shifts focus to the gravity of the matter, indicating significant potential consequences.

a grave concern

Elevates the level of worry, suggesting the concern is severe and impactful.

a pressing concern

Emphasizes the urgency of the issue, requiring immediate attention.

a significant concern

Highlights the importance and potential impact of the concern.

a disquieting concern

Introduces a sense of unease or anxiety surrounding the issue.

a cause for concern

Indicates that something warrants attention due to its potential negative implications.

a matter of concern

Frames the issue as something that should be taken into consideration and possibly addressed.

cause for alarm

Highlights the issue as a sign of potential danger or crisis.

FAQs

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

You can use "a worrying concern" to express that something is causing anxiety or unease. For example: "The increasing number of cyberattacks is a worrying concern for businesses."

What phrases are similar to "a worrying concern"?

Similar phrases include "a troubling concern", "a serious concern", or "a cause for concern".

Is it redundant to say "a worrying concern"?

Sometimes, yes. If the concern is inherently worrying, the adjective might be unnecessary. However, it can be used for emphasis.

What makes something "a worrying concern" rather than just a concern?

The adjective "worrying" suggests the concern has the potential to cause negative impacts. It indicates a higher level of unease compared to a general concern.