an increasing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

'an increasing concern' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to highlight something that is becoming more and more of a worry or issue. For example: Global warming is an increasing concern for many governments around the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An argument favoring routine prescription is that there is an increasing concern about purchasing antibiotics abroad, many being false.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Inequality is an increasing concern in Spain.

The Guardian

Isis's presence in Libya has become an increasing concern.

The Guardian

"It is an increasing concern for us," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

But Mr. Jobs's fitness is, sadly, an increasing concern.

The New York Times

Security against cyber warfare carried out by China is an increasing concern to the US.

The Guardian

I suspect this will be an increasing concern among psychologists and therapists as technology expands.

The New Yorker

Low pay, late pay and even no pay are now an increasing concern.

The Guardian

Mental-health problems are an increasing concern in New York's immigrant communities.

The New Yorker

But a more immediate risk is an increasing concern about data security.

The Economist

And as climate change becomes an increasing concern, the environmental credentials of rail are key.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an increasing concern" to clearly signal that an issue is not only present but also growing in importance or severity. This helps to emphasize the urgency or significance of the topic being discussed.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "an increasing concern" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language by using synonyms like "growing worry" or "escalating problem" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an increasing concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that is progressively becoming more worrisome or significant. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an increasing concern" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to highlight the growing importance or severity of an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valuable expression for signaling escalating worry. It appears most often in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for professional communication. When writing, remember to vary your language and use synonyms where appropriate to avoid repetition. This phrase serves to draw attention to evolving problems, urging consideration or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a growing worry

Focuses more directly on the feeling of unease rather than the issue causing it.

a rising anxiety

Highlights the emotional aspect of the concern, suggesting a heightened state of worry.

an escalating problem

Emphasizes the worsening nature of the issue, implying it's becoming more difficult to manage.

a mounting apprehension

Suggests a gradual accumulation of unease and fear about a potential outcome.

a developing issue

Indicates that the concern is unfolding and becoming more defined over time.

a heightened awareness

Shifts the focus to increased recognition of a particular issue, rather than the worry it causes.

a significant challenge

Frames the concern as an obstacle that needs to be overcome, emphasizing the difficulty it presents.

a major preoccupation

Indicates that the concern is dominating thoughts and actions, suggesting a more intense focus.

a critical consideration

Emphasizes the importance of the concern, highlighting the need to address it carefully.

a pressing matter

Suggests the concern requires immediate attention and action, implying urgency.

FAQs

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

Use "an increasing concern" to highlight a problem that is growing in importance or frequency. For instance, "Climate change is "an increasing concern" for scientists."

What are some alternatives to "an increasing concern"?

You can use alternatives such as "growing worry", "rising anxiety", or "escalating problem" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a increasing concern" instead of "an increasing concern"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. You should always use "an" before a word that begins with a vowel sound, so "an increasing concern" is correct.

What is the difference between "an increasing concern" and "a major concern"?

"An increasing concern" indicates that the problem is growing, while "a major concern" simply states that the problem is significant, without necessarily implying that it is getting worse over time.