become a concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"become a concern" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It indicates that something is becoming an object of worry or anxiety. For example, "As the temperatures continue to rise, global warming has become a concern for many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bald patches become a concern.

The Guardian

Chemistry has become a concern.

The New York Times

But Robert Pires has become a concern.

The Guardian - Sport

That may become a concern for competition-minded regulators.

The New York Times

Further, the hantavirus has become a concern in Western parks.

The New York Times - Science

She knew that, as she got older, driving after dark could become a concern.

The New York Times

Dutch politics had now become a concern of the great powers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the slowdown of its growth has become a concern for some investors.

The New York Times - Tech

The latter, Mr. Broadhead said, have become a concern for residents.

The New York Times

Recently, the eternal youth of some junior-party regulars has become a concern to charities.

The New York Times - Style

The rising price of many medical journals has become a concern around the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become a concern" to signal that a situation or issue is increasingly requiring attention and potentially intervention. This phrase works well in formal reports, news articles, and academic papers.

Common error

While "become a concern" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "raise concerns", "become problematic", or "give rise to concern" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become a concern" functions as a verb phrase indicating a shift in status, where something transitions into being an object of worry or anxiety. It is commonly used to describe emerging problems or issues that require attention. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Wiki

0.01%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become a concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that something is evolving into a source of worry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and business contexts, signaling emerging problems that require attention. While effective, avoid overuse by employing synonyms like "raise concerns" or "become problematic". The phrase effectively communicates a shift towards a more worrisome state, prompting action or investigation. Its wide adoption across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in various formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become problematic

Highlights the problematic nature of something, instead of framing it as a concern.

raise concerns

Focuses on the act of voicing concerns rather than the state of becoming a concern.

give rise to concern

Emphasizes the action that causes concern, rather than the state itself.

be a source of anxiety

Highlights the emotional impact, specifically anxiety, rather than general concern.

develop into an issue

Implies a more formal or structured problem, often requiring a solution.

pose a problem

Shifts the focus to a practical issue or obstacle.

grow into a worry

Suggests a gradual increase in worry over time.

start to worry

Indicates the beginning of worry, but is less formal and more personal.

turn into a difficulty

Focuses on the challenging aspect of the situation.

be a cause for alarm

Implies a stronger sense of urgency and potential danger.

FAQs

How can I use "become a concern" in a sentence?

You can use "become a concern" to indicate that something is increasingly worrying or problematic. For example, "The rising cost of living has "become a concern" for many families."

What are some alternatives to "become a concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "raise concerns", "become problematic", or "give rise to concern" as alternatives to "become a concern".

Is it correct to say "became a concern" instead of "become a concern"?

Yes, "became a concern" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct when referring to something that started being a concern in the past. "Become a concern" is suitable for present or future situations.

What is the difference between "is a concern" and "become a concern"?

"Is a concern" indicates that something is currently worrying, whereas "become a concern" indicates that something is starting or growing into a worrying issue. For example, the statement "Public health is a concern" indicates an ongoing worry, whereas the statement "Public health has "become a concern" because of recent outbreaks" indicates a recent change.