an appropriate concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an appropriate concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a matter that is relevant or suitable to be worried about or addressed in a particular context. Example: "The rising levels of pollution in our city are an appropriate concern for local government officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"We think that's an appropriate concern to have".

The New York Times

While scholars recognize that we are still some time from creating information technology that would be unequivocally recognized as an artificial moral agent, there are strong theoretical arguments in favor of the eventual possibility and therefore they are an appropriate concern for those interested in the moral impacts of information technologies.

SEP

Thus some seemingly private activities, eg, the use of violence to children in a private space, are seen by some societies as an appropriate concern of the state.

BMC Public Health

It may be debated whether the tendency to label imprudent decisions in psychiatric patients as incompetent should be seen as unduly paternalistic, or whether it is an appropriate concern in the light of how mental illness affects decision-making abilities.

BMC Medical Ethics

This can be particularly problematic when an appropriate concern with the outcomes of health care is channeled into a narrow focus on the kinds of measurable health status changes that are investigated in studies of the effectiveness of technologies designed to limit disease and/or to lower the risks of disability and death.

American Journal of Bioethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I believe the plan will satisfy all appropriate concerns," Mr. Cardozo said.

The New York Times

The APSAC Taskforce recognised in its recommendations that "attachment problems extending beyond RAD, are a real and appropriate concern for professionals working with children", and set out recommendations for assessment.

Wikipedia

With regard to therapeutic drug trials in Alzheimer disease (AD), a frequent and appropriate concern is whether the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype should be taken as a covariate in statistical analyses regarding efficacy or adverse effects.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

It could therefore be argued that, given that the protocol had already received science and ethics approval local, nationally and internationally, and that the potential costs or risks of archiving for future research are uncertain [ 23], seeking opinions and agreement on procedures including those concerning archive governance was an appropriate primary concern for consultation for KGBC.

BMC Medical Ethics

The letter, leaked to the press before it was delivered, said the administration had found itself "embracing a philosophy which appears to lack appropriate concern for a great mass of Americans -- our young people".

The New York Times

This and other furious charges (eg that I think the US is uniquely evil, can solve every problem in the world, etc) is based entirely on the fact that the collection of op-eds that he reviews (Making the Future) focuses on US and British policies and commentary, a natural and entirely appropriate concern.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an appropriate concern", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the concern is valid and relevant. Providing specific details or examples strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "an appropriate concern" as a generic statement. Always clarify why the concern is valid to prevent the phrase from sounding vague or unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an appropriate concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "appropriate" modifies the noun "concern". It describes a specific kind of concern that is considered fitting or justified in a particular context. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an appropriate concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a worry or issue that is justified and relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and applicable in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it is found across diverse reputable sources like The New York Times and Forbes. When using the phrase, be sure to clearly articulate why the concern is valid to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "a justified worry" or "a valid apprehension" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a justified worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "appropriate" with "justified", emphasizing the validity of the worry.

a pertinent worry

Highlights the relevance of the concern to the matter at hand.

a valid apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with the more formal "apprehension" and "appropriate" with "valid", indicating a legitimate reason for unease.

a legitimate anxiety

Uses "anxiety" instead of "concern" and "legitimate" instead of "appropriate", highlighting the realness of the worry.

a well-founded unease

Emphasizes the solid basis for feeling unsettled.

a warranted fear

Replaces "concern" with "fear" and "appropriate" with "warranted", suggesting the fear is justified by the circumstances.

a reasonable misgiving

Employs "misgiving" as a substitute for "concern" and "reasonable" for "appropriate", focusing on the rationality of the doubt.

a fitting preoccupation

Swaps "concern" with "preoccupation" and "appropriate" with "fitting", indicating a suitable focus of thought.

a suitable reservation

Replaces "concern" with "reservation" and "appropriate" with "suitable", suggesting a fitting hesitation.

a relevant consideration

Substitutes the entire phrase with the idea that something needs to be carefully thought about.

FAQs

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

Use "an appropriate concern" to describe a worry or issue that is justified or relevant in a specific situation. For example, "The lack of funding for education is "an appropriate concern" for parents and educators alike."

What are some alternatives to "an appropriate concern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a justified worry", "a valid apprehension", or "a legitimate anxiety", which all convey a similar sense of justified unease or worry.

Is it redundant to say "a valid and appropriate concern"?

While not strictly redundant, using both "valid" and "appropriate" may be unnecessary, as they share similar meanings. Choose the word that best fits the specific context, or rephrase for conciseness.

When is it not suitable to use the phrase "an appropriate concern"?

Avoid using "an appropriate concern" when the worry or issue is trivial, unfounded, or exaggerated. In such cases, consider using more nuanced language to reflect the true nature of the concern.