be of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is a cause for worry or alarm. Example: The increasing number of infections in the area should be of concern for the local authorities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Most Urdu speakers would be of concern".

The New York Times

It also found the Immediate Action Team to be "of concern".

The Guardian

"It would be of concern," said Mr. Bleakley, who rates Allied shares a hold.

The New York Times

And, who sees that dossier later on may be of concern".

The New York Times

"It has to be of concern," Snider said of LeClair's injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

But the consequence of the negative reporting should be of concern beyond social workers.

The Guardian

What should be of concern is the Teflon durability of the brand.

The Guardian - Opinion

They're happy, their pet is happy, and that's all that should be of concern to you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the association's purported mission, White House transparency, should be of concern to everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their safety should be of concern to us all, as well.

The New York Times

The loss of such commitment, Glover suggests, should be of concern even to nonbelievers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be of concern" to introduce a topic that requires attention or indicates potential risks. This phrasing is appropriate for both formal reports and news articles, lending a tone of measured seriousness.

Common error

While versatile, "be of concern" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more direct and informal synonyms like "worrying" or "something to think about" when speaking with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of concern" functions as a linking verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, indicating that a subject is worthy of worry or attention. As Ludwig shows, this phrase connects a subject with a state of potential or actual worry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be of concern" is a versatile phrase used to express that something warrants attention or worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember that while versatile, there are cases in which you would like to use a less formal alternative to avoid sounding stilted or distant. Consider alternatives like "raise concerns" or "warrant attention" to tailor your message for specific situations. Overall, "be of concern" is a solid choice when you want to underscore the importance of an issue and suggest that it should not be ignored.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a cause for worry

This phrase is a more direct synonym, explicitly stating that something should lead to anxiety.

raise concerns

This is a more active phrasing, highlighting the act of expressing worry rather than the state of being worrisome.

give cause for alarm

This alternative emphasizes the potential danger or distress associated with the situation.

be alarming

This alternative conveys a sense of urgency and potential danger.

warrant attention

This phrase directly implies something deserves notice, shifting the focus from worry to importance.

be a significant issue

This alternative focuses on the magnitude and relevance of the problem.

be a matter of importance

This phrase highlights the significance of something, rather than directly addressing the worry it may cause.

demand consideration

This phrase suggests that something requires careful thought and attention, implying importance.

bear significance

This emphasizes the importance or consequence of something.

be noteworthy

This option focuses on the quality of being interesting or remarkable and deserving attention.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be of concern" is typically used to indicate that something should cause worry or attention. For example, "The rising sea levels should "be of concern" to coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "be of concern"?

You can use alternatives like "raise concerns", "warrant attention", or "be alarming" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is of concern" or "is concerning"?

"Is of concern" is an idiomatic expression indicating something should cause worry. "Is concerning" is also correct, but directly describes something as worrying. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the state of worry or the thing causing it.

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

"Be of concern" implies something should be worrying or important. "Be a concern" states that something is a worry or problem. The former suggests potential or future worry, while the latter indicates an existing issue.