be concerned to

USAGE SUMMARY

'be concerned to' is not correct and usable in written English.
The correct form would be 'be concerned about.' Example: I am concerned about the impact of plastic on the environment.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Your other readers would probably be concerned to know that 'besher' would mean 'five each'.

The Guardian - Sport

Sikhs will be concerned to learn that some files have been destroyed.

The Guardian

If you object to positive discrimination, you'll be concerned to hear that's it's rife – in favour of men.

Independent

Ministers will also be concerned to see that removals and deportations fell again during 2011 from 60,244 in the previous year to 52,526.

The Guardian

"We should be concerned to the extent Steve Bannon controls what information goes in and goes out of the White House.

The Guardian

A real buzz around Damon While no doubt accustomed to the hazards of celebrity, Matt Damon may be concerned to hear that doubts are being raised about his credentials.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

That would be concerning to me.

The New Yorker

It's concerning to present players and I think it should be concerning to future players, as well.

The Guardian - Sport

And this should be concerning to the American people.

Huffington Post

"We are concerned to find there are major structural difficulties.

The Guardian

"Five years ago, I was concerned to discover new things," Mr. Sanchez said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express worry or interest, use "be concerned about" or "be interested in" for greater clarity and grammatical correctness. These alternatives are widely accepted and readily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "be concerned to" as it's often perceived as grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for "be concerned about" or "be interested in" to ensure your writing is clear and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be concerned to" functions as part of an infinitive phrase, intending to express worry, interest, or relevance. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect in contemporary English. Alternative formulations like "be concerned about" are preferred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be concerned to" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives like "be concerned about" or "be interested in" for clearer and more acceptable communication. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it is crucial to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure effective and professional writing. The best advice is to substitute it with more commonly used phrases to avoid any potential misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be worried about

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety or unease regarding a specific subject, replacing the less precise "concerned to".

have concerns about

Emphasizes the possession of worries or doubts regarding something, providing a stronger sense of unease.

be anxious about

Expresses a heightened state of worry or nervousness concerning a particular issue, differing in intensity.

be interested in

Indicates a state of curiosity or engagement with something, instead of simply relating to it.

feel concern for

Highlights empathy and worry for someone's well-being, rather than a general interest or relevance.

be uneasy about

Conveys a subtle feeling of discomfort or worry regarding something, rather than a strong anxiety.

be relevant to

Highlights the pertinence or applicability of something in relation to a particular matter, offering a more direct connection.

be apprehensive about

Expresses a sense of dread or unease about a future event or possibility, differing in temporal focus.

be solicitous of

Indicates attentiveness and care for someone's needs or concerns, adding a dimension of active support.

be attentive to

Focuses on paying close attention to something, rather than experiencing worry or concern.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express concern: "be concerned to" or "be concerned about"?

The correct and more widely accepted form is "be concerned about". "Be concerned to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. For example, instead of saying "I "be concerned to" the environment", say "I am "be concerned about" the environment".

What are some alternatives to "be concerned about"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "be worried about", "be interested in", or "have concerns about" as alternatives to ""be concerned about"".

Is "be concerned to" ever correct?

While rarely used and generally considered incorrect in modern English, historical contexts might show instances where "be concerned to" was used, though ""be concerned about"" is the preferred and clearer option now.

How can I ensure I'm using the right phrase to express worry or interest?

Always double-check your phrasing. If you intend to express worry, use ""be concerned about"". If you mean to show interest, use "be interested in". Using these phrases can avoid confusion and ensure clarity.