be a matter of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a matter of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or topics that are troubling or require attention. Example: "The rising pollution levels in the city should be a matter of concern for all residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Should that be a matter of concern?

The New Yorker

"That has to be a matter of concern".

The New York Times

That should be a matter of concern in a presidential election year.

The New York Times

But Biron's play must be a matter of concern now, with the Rangers hurtling toward the season's homestretch.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think it would be a matter of concern if the Singaporean government indirectly owned the Hong Kong phone company".

The New York Times

Police violence appeared to be a matter of concern only to Albuquerque's underclass: those who are mentally ill, addicted to drugs, Native American, or Hispanic and poor.

The New Yorker

Firstly, I repeat my earlier comments of having at the time no reason for considering the contractual relationship to be a matter of concern.

The Economist

According to Dr. Gaskell, the chairman said Dr. Gaskell's religious beliefs and his "expression of them would be a matter of concern" to the dean.

The New York Times

"It's a concentration issue that should be a matter of concern," said Neil E. Harl, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University.

The New York Times

As the memory of the iron curtain fades and Europe recenters itself, Hungary's fascist resurgence should be a matter of concern for all.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, the others indicated that the monetary investment on e-Health technologies had to be a matter of concern physicians would pay for what they had been given (eg, from their bonus).

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "be a matter of concern" with stronger alternatives like "be alarming" or "constitute a cause for alarm" to convey a more urgent sense of worry if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "be a matter of concern". Active voice often makes your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The delay should be a matter of concern for the team", try "The team should be concerned about the delay."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a matter of concern" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a particular issue or situation should cause worry or attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is widely accepted and used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a matter of concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that something should warrant attention or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is most prevalent in News & Media and Science, with a neutral to professional register. For impactful writing, be specific about the cause of concern and consider stronger alternatives to convey urgency. Avoid passive voice constructions for directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a cause for concern

Uses "cause" instead of "matter", highlighting the reason for worry.

be a source of worry

Focuses on the origin of the concern, rather than the concern itself.

raise concerns

This alternative is a more direct and active way of saying something is worrying.

be a reason for apprehension

Replaces "concern" with "apprehension" to indicate anxiety.

warrant attention

This phrase suggests that something deserves to be noticed and addressed, focusing on the need for action.

be alarming

A simpler, more direct way to express that something is worrying.

constitute a cause for alarm

This alternative uses stronger language, implying a more urgent or serious level of worry.

call for consideration

This suggests the need for careful thought and evaluation.

pose a problem

Focuses on the potential difficulties or challenges.

give rise to apprehension

Emphasizes the creation of unease or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "be a matter of concern" in a sentence?

You can use "be a matter of concern" to express that something should worry or trouble someone. For example, "The rising cost of living should "be a matter of concern" for many citizens".

What can I say instead of "be a matter of concern"?

You can use alternatives like "be a cause for concern", "raise concerns", or "warrant attention" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be a matter of concern" or "is a matter of concern"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "is a matter of concern" is a complete sentence and can stand alone, while "be a matter of concern" typically requires additional context to form a complete thought.

What's the difference between "be a matter of concern" and "be concerned about"?

"Be a matter of concern" indicates that something should worry someone, while "be concerned about" means someone is already feeling worried or anxious. The former highlights the need for concern, while the latter describes an existing state of worry.