an unreasonable concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unreasonable concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a worry or issue that is deemed excessive or not justified. Example: "Her anxiety about the project deadline seemed like an unreasonable concern, given that we had ample time to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is not an unreasonable concern.

Independent

This was not an unreasonable concern.

The New Yorker

Some people are concerned about the effects on the value of their apartments, not an unreasonable concern, said Steven Goldschmidt, an associate broker with Warburg Realty Partnership.

The New York Times

"It's not an unreasonable concern," Flecknell says.

Science Magazine

Not an unreasonable concern.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Given that 50 years ago it was judged unready for publication, this is not an entirely unreasonable concern; friends advised her to publish, leaving Lee "humbled and amazed that this will be published after all these years".

The Guardian - Books

This appears to be a not unreasonable concern.

Health Policy and Planning

This isn't an unreasonable fear.

The Economist

It's not an unreasonable fear.

Los Angeles Times

Many were unconvinced that the Southampton epidemiologists had controlled for things like socioeconomic background; Barker told me that one "not unreasonable concern" was that people born small into poor homes and impoverished environments would adopt less healthy adult life styles.

The New Yorker

We need the study of nature in order to reach the kind of distance from our everyday concerns that eventually frees us from unreasonable concern for them.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unreasonable concern" when you want to express that a worry or anxiety is excessive or not based on reasonable grounds. It is particularly effective in situations where you want to gently challenge or question the validity of someone's fears.

Common error

Avoid using "an unreasonable concern" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "an unjustified worry" or "an excessive fear" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unreasonable concern" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It typically attributes a quality of being excessive or unwarranted to a concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unreasonable concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a worry or fear that is perceived as excessive or unwarranted. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct. While relatively rare, it finds its place in neutral contexts such as news articles and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, consider its potential impact and opt for alternatives if necessary. The phrase functions primarily to express a judgment about the validity or rationality of a worry or fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unjustified worry

Focuses on the lack of justification for the concern.

an excessive apprehension

Emphasizes the exaggerated nature of the fear.

an unwarranted anxiety

Highlights that the anxiety is not justified or deserved.

a needless preoccupation

Suggests the concern is unnecessary and unproductive.

an overblown fear

Indicates the fear is exaggerated beyond what is reasonable.

an exaggerated worry

Highlights that the worry is amplified beyond what is realistic.

a disproportionate anxiety

Focuses on the imbalance between the concern and the actual threat.

a groundless fear

Highlights that the fear has no foundation or basis.

an unsubstantiated concern

Focuses on the lack of evidence or support for the worry.

a baseless worry

Highlights that the worry has no foundation or support.

FAQs

What does "an unreasonable concern" mean?

It refers to a worry or anxiety that is considered excessive or not based on logical or justifiable reasons. It implies that the concern is disproportionate to the actual threat or situation.

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

You can use alternatives like "an unjustified worry", "an excessive fear", or "an unwarranted anxiety" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to describe someone's worry as "an unreasonable concern"?

No, it's important to use this phrase with sensitivity. Consider the context and the individual's perspective before labeling their concern as "unreasonable", as it may come across as dismissive or invalidating.

How can I address "an unreasonable concern" in a constructive way?

Acknowledge the person's feelings, but gently challenge the logic behind their worry. Provide factual information or alternative perspectives to help them see the situation more objectively. For example, instead of dismissing the concern outright, you might say, "I understand your worry, but let's look at the data and see if it supports that level of concern."