apparent concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparent concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concern that seems to be present or visible, but may not be genuine or deeply felt. Example: "Her apparent concern for the project was noted, but some team members felt she was not fully committed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There is no apparent concern with genre or marketing.

The New Yorker

His apparent concern is that raising anyone's taxes immediately might worsen the economic crisis.

The New York Times

It is tempting to describe the sustained display of persistence and apparent concern as almost human.

The Guardian

Some baboons walk away from their dead offspring without any apparent concern.

The Guardian

Would the management trumpet race discrimination with as little apparent concern?

The New York Times - Travel

Perhaps the problem lies with Mr Penning's apparent concern at the "complexity" of the old system.

Independent

The fans, rooting home their team, had little apparent concern for, or memory of, past labor conflicts and decisions.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Noting Oldham voters' apparent concerns over security, he does, however.

Independent

There are no apparent concerns at Eastlands about Touré's state of mind.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he was not aware that she had made any "attempt to raise apparent concerns about the programme with any of the Panorama team.

Independent

There were hints that Randolph felt their approach to winning championships was lacking, whether it was Delgado's apparent reluctance at times to get his uniform dirty or Beltrán's apparent concerns about playing with nagging injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apparent concern", ensure that the surrounding text provides enough context to clarify whether the concern is genuinely felt or merely displayed.

Common error

Avoid using "apparent concern" when you mean to describe a sincere or genuine concern. The word "apparent" suggests the concern might not be real or deeply felt, so choose a different phrase like "genuine worry" or "real interest" when sincerity is meant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparent concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "apparent" modifies the noun "concern". It describes a state of worry or interest that is outwardly visible but may not be genuine. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apparent concern" is used to describe a state of worry that is outwardly visible but whose sincerity is in question. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, science and business contexts. When employing this phrase, it is important to provide contextual clues to signal whether the concern is genuine or merely a facade. Remember, using "apparent concern" implies a level of skepticism, distinguishing it from phrases like "genuine worry" or "true interest" that express sincerity. This phrase effectively conveys doubt regarding the authenticity of someone's concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeming worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" emphasizing a state of anxiety that appears to be present.

visible apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension" which suggests a visible fear of anxiety about the future.

ostensible anxiety

Uses "ostensible" to highlight that the anxiety is presented as true, though may not be.

superficial solicitude

Emphasizes that the concern is not deeply felt, but rather on the surface.

professed interest

Highlights the expression of concern or care, which may not be sincere or genuine.

claimed worry

Indicates that the concern is asserted, but possibly not felt genuinely.

outward preoccupation

Focuses on the external display of being absorbed or concerned.

alleged anxiety

Specifies that the anxiety is stated but not proven.

supposed solicitude

Suggests the solicitude is assumed but may not be real.

hint of unease

Implies a slight, detectable indication of worry or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "apparent concern" in a sentence?

You can use "apparent concern" to describe a situation where someone seems worried, but you doubt their sincerity. For instance, "Despite his apparent concern, he did little to help."

What phrases are similar to "apparent concern"?

Alternatives include "seeming worry", "visible apprehension", or "ostensible anxiety". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "apparent concern" and "genuine concern"?

"Apparent concern" implies the concern may not be real, whereas "genuine concern" indicates a sincere and authentic worry or care.

Is it always negative to describe something as having "apparent concern"?

Not necessarily. While "apparent concern" often suggests insincerity, it can also neutrally describe a concern that is observable but not necessarily verifiable. The context usually provides the specific intent.