adding to their concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to their concerns" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or situations that increase someone's worries or anxieties. Example: "The recent news about the economy is adding to their concerns about job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Officials suspect that many others believed to be suffering from cholera in the capital also became infected here, adding to their concerns that the disease has spread.

The New York Times

Adding to their concerns, seven South Korean missionaries were kidnapped and briefly detained last week.

The New York Times

Adding to their concerns are Russian plans to send as many as 100,000 troops to the eastern edge of NATO territory at the end of the summer, one of the biggest moves yet in the military buildup launched by President Vladimir Putin.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mrs. Clinton's supporters were increasingly surprised that Mr. Obama had out-organized her in state after state, and those losses were adding to their concern.

The New York Times

The governor's occasionally intemperate responses add to their concerns.

The New York Times

And dropping the reference to Jerusalem could simply add to their concerns.

The Guardian

Last year's expropriation of Occidental Petroleum, previously Ecuador's largest foreign investor, has added to their concerns.

The Economist

The American officials said new information about the activities of the Majid cousins had added to their concerns.

The New York Times

Water supply experts yesterday said this finding added to their concerns that such contamination could be helping to breed resistant strains of bacteria.

The New York Times

The fact that Farsi-language satellite broadcasts from the United States, run mostly by monarchist opposition groups, have been urging people onto the streets only added to their concerns.

The New York Times

Investors had been looking for news that would reverse the slide that began in July when Hewlett-Packard's stock topped $68, but this only added to their concerns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose synonyms that most closely fit the tone and formality level of your writing. For a more formal context, "exacerbating their worries" might be more suitable than "fuelling their unease".

Common error

Avoid using "adding to their concerns" without clearly establishing whose concerns are being discussed. Vague pronoun references can confuse the reader. Instead of saying 'The new policy is adding to their concerns', specify 'The new policy is adding to the residents' concerns'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to their concerns" functions as a verbal phrase that indicates an action (adding) is increasing the level of worry or anxiety experienced by a specific group. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to their concerns" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media, according to Ludwig. It indicates that a situation or event is exacerbating existing anxieties or worries. To enhance clarity, specify the group to whom 'their' refers. While versatile, consider the tone of your writing to ensure the phrasing aligns with the formality of the context. Alternatives include phrases like "exacerbating their worries" or "intensifying their anxieties", offering nuanced ways to convey the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbating their worries

This alternative emphasizes the worsening of existing worries.

intensifying their anxieties

This suggests a strengthening of feelings of anxiety.

heightening their fears

Focuses on increasing the level of fear experienced.

amplifying their apprehension

Highlights a significant increase in feelings of unease.

fuelling their unease

Suggests that something is actively making them more uneasy.

compounding their worries

Indicates that worries are increasing in number or severity.

aggravating their anxieties

This suggests a worsening of existing anxieties.

inflaming their fears

Implies an increase in the intensity of their fears.

worsening their outlook

Suggests the cause for concern has affected someone's perspective negatively.

increasing their disquiet

Focuses on a growing sense of restlessness or worry.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "adding to their concerns" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "exacerbating their worries", "intensifying their anxieties", or "compounding their worries" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is a simpler way to say "adding to their concerns"?

Simpler alternatives include "increasing their worries", "worsening their fears", or "making them more anxious".

Is "adding to their concerns" the same as "addressing their concerns"?

No, "adding to their concerns" means increasing their worries, while "addressing their concerns" means dealing with or resolving their worries. They are opposite in meaning.

Can I use "adding to their concerns" in a business context?

Yes, "adding to their concerns" can be used in a business context to describe situations that increase anxiety or worry among stakeholders. For example, "The declining sales figures are "adding to their concerns" about the company's future".