be very concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be very concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong feeling of worry or anxiety about a particular situation or issue. Example: "I must say, I am very concerned about the recent changes in policy that could affect our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'd be very concerned.

The New York Times

They must be very concerned.

The Washington Post

— Broncos fans have to be very concerned.

The Washington Post

Members are said to be "very concerned".

The Guardian - Sport

If you're reading, June Brown: be very concerned.

The Guardian - Music

Right now we'd be very concerned about his health.

The New York Times - Sports

"For those younger than I, they should be very concerned.

The New York Times

"I would be very concerned about the potential for local air pollution problems".

The New York Times

We should all be very concerned about a government agency using its power for political ends.

The New York Times

Mr. Yang said China would be "very concerned" about a nuclear test.

The New York Times

I think everyone in Britain and America should be very concerned about protecting due process".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be very concerned" when you want to express a strong feeling of worry or anxiety about a specific situation. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be very concerned" in every situation where you want to express worry. Vary your language with synonyms like "be deeply worried" or "have serious reservations" to maintain reader engagement and provide a nuanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be very concerned" functions primarily as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes the state of being worried or anxious. Examples provided by Ludwig show its use in expressing worry about potential problems, risks, or negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be very concerned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a strong feeling of worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, especially news, academic, and business settings. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "be deeply worried" or "have serious reservations" to avoid overuse and provide nuanced expression. Remember to provide a clear context when expressing your concerns for maximum impact. This is a very common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deeply worried

Emphasizes the depth of concern rather than just the intensity.

be extremely anxious

Focuses on the anxiety associated with the concern.

have serious reservations

Indicates a strong doubt or disapproval about something.

feel grave apprehension

Highlights the seriousness and potential negative outcomes.

be greatly troubled

Suggests a disturbance of peace of mind due to the concern.

be highly disturbed

Focuses on the emotional distress caused by the concern.

have significant misgivings

Emphasizes doubts and uncertainties about a situation.

be of the opinion that this is alarming

Expresses concern through an opinion, highlighting the alarming nature of the situation.

find this deeply disconcerting

Focuses on the unsettling and disturbing nature of the situation.

be alarmed by this

Directly expresses alarm and heightened concern.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "be very concerned" in a sentence?

To effectively use "be very concerned", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the subject of the concern and the reason for the worry. For example: "I "am very concerned" about the lack of funding for this project."

What are some alternatives to "be very concerned" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "be deeply worried", "be extremely anxious", or "have serious reservations" to express a similar level of concern with different nuances.

Is there a difference between "be very concerned" and "be slightly concerned"?

"Be very concerned" indicates a strong feeling of worry or anxiety, while "be slightly concerned" suggests a mild level of worry. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "be very concerned"?

It's appropriate to use "be very concerned" in contexts where there is a significant reason for worry, such as in news reports about serious issues, academic discussions about potential problems, or formal business communications addressing risks.