be highly concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

"be highly concerned" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about a situation that is particularly concerning or worrisome. For example, "We should all be highly concerned about climate change and its effects on our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Chinese parents tend to be highly concerned with impulse control," he wrote.

The New Yorker

One would be highly concerned if one went to court only to find that the judge had entered into some form of agreement with the other side, almost regardless of its terms.

The Guardian

It will be highly concerned about a popular backlash against some of the likely ways of raising the necessary resources to pay for Dilnot (such as means-testing of disability benefits or increasing National Insurance contributions of the over 60s).

The Guardian

While the combative nature of his exchanges with journalists has been a high-rating distraction from issues that, according to the ballot box, people really care about, there is enough evidence now to be highly concerned both about press freedom and the role of political journalism.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We call on manufacturers to be highly concerned about dealer inventories, and to take timely and effective measures to actively digest inventory, especially taking into account the financial strain on distributors, as manufacturers have to provide the necessary financing support to help dealers ride out the storm," the association said.

The New York Times

But Grant will be highly concerned by the injury suffered by key man Asamoah Gyan, badly kicked by Guinea's goalkeeper late on, who had to be helped on to the team bus.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Note Survey participants were asked on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all concerned" and 5 is "highly concerned," how concerned they are about the possible impacts of climate change.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

On the continental scale, the responses show that 36.2%% of respondents are highly concerned, 33.8 % are concerned, and 15.3 % somewhat concerned (Fig. 1).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

"I'm highly concerned now," Dr. Robinson said.

The New York Times - Health

He is highly concerned with the problems of ecology.

The New Yorker

MC Metals, which has a reputation for being highly concerned with safety, is contesting all charges.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be highly concerned" to express a significant level of worry or apprehension, especially when you want to convey a sense of urgency or importance about a situation.

Common error

While "be highly concerned" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "be worried" or "be concerned" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be highly concerned" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of significant worry or apprehension. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which indicates that the phrase is acceptable in written English. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be highly concerned" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express significant worry or apprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's acceptable in written English and widely used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for scenarios where emphasizing the seriousness of a situation is important. Remember that in casual settings, simpler alternatives such as "be worried" or "be concerned" might be more appropriate to maintain a natural tone. The phrase demonstrates correct grammatical structure and is sourced from reputable publications. Its usage is consistent with standard English conventions, making it a reliable choice for expressing concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be very worried

Replaces "highly concerned" with "very worried" to convey concern in a more direct manner.

have serious reservations

Expresses concern by indicating that one has significant doubts or hesitations about something.

be deeply troubled

Indicates a state of profound concern or unease.

be extremely anxious

Conveys a high degree of worry and apprehension.

feel a great deal of anxiety

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety as the primary concern.

have grave concerns

Highlights the seriousness and importance of the concerns.

be apprehensive about

Focuses on the feeling of unease or fear about a future event or situation.

take a dim view of

Expresses disapproval and worry about something.

be uneasy about

Indicates a feeling of discomfort and concern.

be solicitous of

Expresses care and concern for someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "be highly concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "be highly concerned" to express a significant level of worry about something. For example, "Experts "are highly concerned" about the potential environmental impact of the new factory".

What can I say instead of "be highly concerned"?

You can use alternatives such as "be very worried", "have grave concerns", or "be deeply troubled depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "be highly concerned" or "be very concerned"?

Both "be highly concerned" and "be very concerned" are grammatically correct, but "be highly concerned" suggests a more significant level of worry or importance than "be very concerned".

Is "be highly concerned" formal or informal?

"Be highly concerned" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, though it might sound somewhat strong in very informal settings. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "be worried" or "be concerned" may be more appropriate.