an abstract concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an abstract concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or issue that is theoretical or not grounded in concrete reality, often in academic or philosophical contexts. Example: "The debate surrounding climate change often involves an abstract concern about future generations and their quality of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This isn't an abstract concern.

The New Yorker

Montgomery's photographs capture the humanity of people for whom this lineage is not an abstract concern.

The New Yorker

For those Americans who live in communities where the threat of violence is real, this is not an abstract concern.

The New Yorker

In such situations, opposition to dams is not driven by an abstract concern for the environment or the survival of riparian ecosystems; rather, it is driven by an appreciation that a particular dam is transforming the environment in ways that serve only certain special interests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While that might sound like an abstract concern, a Bloomberg report this summer revealed details of a multi-million deal in which Google pays for transaction data from Mastercard — in order to try to link online ad views with offline purchases in the US.

TechCrunch

It may sound like an abstract concern but for online services that rely on things being done with user data in order to monetize free-to-access content this is a key question now the region's General Data Protection Regulation is firmly fixed in place.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Over all, research has shown ephedra to be effective for weight loss in the short term; but after the study discussed in the e-mails found only slight weight loss, Muscletech asked the researcher to publish an abstract concerning issues of safety instead.

The New York Times

Rights groups abroad generally support the agreement, in hopes that it can reduce the police brutality and haphazard application of laws that bedevil the average Chinese more than any abstract concerns about democracy.

The New York Times

The WOW report is only the latest indication that for a vast number of people in the U.S., the poor health of the economy is not a distant or abstract concern, but a problem that affects day-to-day decisions about how money can be spent.

Huffington Post

With the challenge to multiculturalism from the growth of British-born Islamic extremism - together with anniversaries of the act of union and the election of the Labour government - national identity has leapt from abstract concern to an all-out obsession.

The Guardian - Books

This may reflect the committee's differential consideration of an abstract safety concern (the policy vote) when compared with a specific potential drug whose benefits are demonstrated in clinical trials.

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an abstract concern" when you want to emphasize that the worry or issue is not directly related to immediate, practical realities but rather to theoretical or conceptual considerations. This is particularly effective in academic, philosophical, or analytical contexts where you want to highlight the non-tangible nature of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "an abstract concern" when discussing immediate, tangible problems. This phrase suggests a detached, theoretical worry, making it unsuitable for situations requiring concrete solutions or addressing direct, personal issues. Instead, opt for phrases that convey a sense of urgency or direct impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an abstract concern" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "abstract" modifies the noun "concern". It identifies a type of worry or issue that is theoretical, not grounded in reality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an abstract concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a theoretical or non-concrete worry. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news media and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when discussing ideas or potential problems without immediate, tangible impact, and avoid it when addressing direct, personal issues. Consider alternatives like "theoretical worry" or "conceptual issue" depending on the specific context to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a theoretical worry

Replaces 'concern' with 'worry' and 'abstract' with 'theoretical', emphasizing the lack of practical basis.

a conceptual issue

Substitutes 'abstract concern' with 'conceptual issue', highlighting the focus on ideas and concepts rather than tangible problems.

a philosophical consideration

Replaces 'concern' with 'consideration' and 'abstract' with 'philosophical', shifting the emphasis to deeper, more fundamental questions.

an academic question

Replaces 'abstract concern' with 'academic question', specifying a context of scholarly inquiry and debate.

a detached preoccupation

Replaces 'abstract concern' with 'detached preoccupation', suggesting a more distanced and intellectual form of worry.

a generalized apprehension

Replaces 'abstract' with 'generalized' and 'concern' with 'apprehension', suggesting a widespread but non-specific fear.

an impersonal worry

Replaces 'abstract concern' with 'impersonal worry', emphasizing the lack of direct, personal impact.

a speculative unease

Replaces 'abstract' with 'speculative' and 'concern' with 'unease', highlighting the conjectural and unsettling nature of the worry.

a non-concrete anxiety

Replaces 'abstract' with 'non-concrete' and 'concern' with 'anxiety', directly stating the lack of tangible reality in the worry.

a vague disquiet

Replaces 'abstract' with 'vague' and 'concern' with 'disquiet', suggesting a mild but undefined feeling of unease.

FAQs

How can I use "an abstract concern" in a sentence?

You can use "an abstract concern" to describe a worry or issue that is theoretical and not based on concrete reality. For example, "The philosophical debate often revolves around "abstract concerns" about the nature of existence."

What's the difference between "an abstract concern" and "a practical problem"?

"An abstract concern" refers to a theoretical or conceptual issue, while "a practical problem" relates to a tangible, real-world difficulty requiring immediate action. One deals with ideas, the other with concrete realities.

What can I say instead of "an abstract concern"?

You can use alternatives like "theoretical worry", "conceptual issue", or "philosophical consideration" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an abstract concern" in business writing?

While "an abstract concern" is grammatically correct, it may not be suitable for all business contexts. It's best used when discussing high-level strategies or theoretical risks. In more immediate, action-oriented business communications, it's better to use more concrete and direct language.