appears concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears concerning" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used when discussing something that seems to be related to a particular issue or topic, but it is better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "The report appears concerning the recent changes in policy, but further clarification is needed."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Analyzing the callback rates obtained by immigrants more in detail, another difference appears, concerning whether the candidate is a first- or a second-generation one.

Genus

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The government appears concerned.

The New York Times

Tommy certainly appears concerned with protecting his reputation.

The New York Times

He appears concerned by Short's enthusiasm for shopping in the bargain basement area.

The Guardian - Sport

For all its desire to end deflation, the government still appears concerned about the damage inflation may bring.

The New York Times

Khamenei has his own differences with Rouhani – he appears concerned about Rouhani's associates, particularly his brother, Hossein Fereydoun.

The Guardian

He appears concerned, almost, that the biographical stories are so rich that they will end up overshadowing the music.

The Guardian - Music

She appears concerned that the UK could be isolated from other net contributors to the EU budget - thus weakening those who want a lower settlement.

The Guardian - Business

In proposing this doctrine Grosseteste appears concerned to maintain the simplicity of the soul.

SEP

Sprint also appears concerned.

Huffington Post

Marco Rubio appears concerned about Trump University's alleged victims, but what about victims of dodgy for-profit colleges?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger and more direct language to express concern, such as "is worrisome" or "raises concerns", for greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "appears concerning" as it can weaken your writing. Opt for active voice constructions to convey your concerns more forcefully and directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears concerning" functions as a linking verb phrase where "appears" connects the subject to the adjective "concerning". It suggests a subjective assessment of something as potentially worrisome. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase isn't standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears concerning" is grammatically acceptable, functioning as a linking verb phrase to express a subjective assessment of worry or apprehension. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is not a standard phrase in written English and suggests that more direct alternatives such as "seems worrisome" or "raises concerns" are preferred for clarity. While found in some news and scientific contexts, its usage is relatively rare. When writing, it's recommended to consider stronger and more active constructions to convey concerns more forcefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems worrisome

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "concerning" with "worrisome", focusing on the feeling of unease.

looks troubling

Substitutes "appears" with "looks" and "concerning" with "troubling", highlighting the visual aspect of the concern.

presents a concern

Changes the structure to emphasize the existence of a concern rather than an appearance of concern.

raises concerns

Focuses on the action of creating concern rather than the state of being concerning.

is seemingly problematic

Replaces "concerning" with "problematic", suggesting that something is causing difficulties.

gives cause for concern

Emphasizes the reason or justification for feeling concerned.

suggests a worry

Uses "suggests" instead of "appears", implying that there is evidence pointing towards a worry.

indicates apprehension

Replaces "concerning" with "apprehension", giving a more formal and anxious tone.

implies unease

Highlights the feeling of being uneasy, suggesting something is not quite right.

creates anxiety

Focuses on the act of creating a state of anxiety, rather than simply being concerning.

FAQs

What does "appears concerning" mean?

The phrase "appears concerning" suggests that something seems to be a source of worry or apprehension. It indicates that there is a perceived issue that merits attention.

Is "appears concerning" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "appears concerning" is not a standard or commonly used phrase. Alternatives like "seems worrisome" or "raises concerns" are generally preferred for clarity and impact.

What are some alternatives to "appears concerning"?

More common alternatives include "seems troubling", "looks problematic", or "gives cause for concern", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use more direct language instead of "appears concerning"?

To be more direct, try using phrases that explicitly state the concern, such as "is worrisome" or "is troubling". This removes the ambiguity of "appears" and makes your concern more apparent.