are a concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are a concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or matters that are troubling or worrisome. Example: "The rising levels of pollution in the city are a concern for public health officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company's costs are a concern.

The New York Times

It's not just health issues that are a concern.

The New York Times

Sure, knife fights and knife attacks are a concern.

The New York Times

Quality and reliability are a concern of the past".

The New York Times - Tech

Medical expenses -- not his, but hers -- are a concern.

The New York Times

Such misgivings are a concern for the mayor's office.

The New York Times

But the effects on wildlife are a concern, too.

The New York Times - Science

The potential for federal charges are "a concern.

The Washington Post

The elements are a concern at other universities as well.

The New York Times

Ticks are a concern because of their ability to transmit, or vector, human diseases.

Cornell University

Gothic-style tunnels a good choice where winter snow loads are a concern.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are a concern" to clearly and directly express worry or importance about a specific issue. It works well in both formal and informal writing to highlight potential problems or challenges.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "are a concern" without explaining why. Always provide specific reasons or examples to support your statement and make your point more persuasive. For example, instead of saying "rising costs are a concern", specify "Rising production costs "are a concern" because they may lead to higher prices for consumers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are a concern" functions as a predicative expression indicating that something causes worry or requires attention. As Ludwig highlights, it directly expresses an issue of importance. Many examples from Ludwig show this usage in contexts ranging from environmental worries to economic challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are a concern" is a versatile and frequently used expression for highlighting potential problems or risks. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's important to provide sufficient context and avoid overuse. Alternative phrases such as "pose a worry" or "represent a challenge" can be used to add variety to your writing. By following best practices, you can effectively use "are a concern" to draw attention to important issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are a source of worry

Rephrases to highlight the source of the worry, slightly changing the emphasis.

pose a worry

Replaces "are a concern" with "pose a worry", altering the verb while keeping the core meaning of worry or concern.

are cause for alarm

Strengthens the expression to suggest a higher degree of worry and urgency.

cause anxiety

Replaces "are a concern" with a more direct expression of causing anxiety, simplifying the language.

prompt unease

Changes the tone to one of prompting unease, suggesting a subtle but noticeable sense of worry.

give rise to apprehension

Substitutes the directness of "are a concern" with a more formal and descriptive phrase indicating worry.

constitute a problem

Shifts the focus from worry to the existence of a problem, indicating something needs to be addressed.

warrant attention

Changes the focus to the need for attention, implying importance and potential concern.

represent a challenge

Alters the framing to present the issue as a challenge, implying a need for effort to overcome it.

are a matter of importance

Replaces the negative connotation of "concern" with the positive aspect of importance, while still implying that the issue needs consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "are a concern" to point out issues that cause worry or require attention. For example, "The environmental impacts of the new factory "are a concern" for local residents".

What are some alternatives to "are a concern"?

You can use phrases like "pose a worry", "cause anxiety", or "represent a challenge depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are a concern" or "is a concern"?

Use "are a concern" when referring to multiple issues or a plural subject. Use "is a concern" for a singular subject. For example, "High inflation and unemployment "are a concern"", but "Climate change is a concern".

What makes something "are a concern" rather than simply "a problem"?

"Are a concern" often implies a potential or anticipated problem that needs attention, while "a problem" suggests an existing issue. Saying something ""are a concern"" emphasizes the need for proactive measures to prevent negative outcomes.