case for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "case for concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or issue that raises worries or requires attention. Example: "The recent increase in pollution levels presents a significant case for concern among environmentalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A cumulative case for concern has been building for months.

The Washington Post

And neither in life, nor in art, is this necessarily a case for concern.

The Guardian - Arts

Even leaving the C.L.A. results aside, though, "Academically Adrift" makes a case for concern.

The New Yorker

In many ways, the case for concern about resurgent inflation is clear cut.

The New York Times

The ruling describes a "substantial" case for concern about human-induced global warming that the EPA amassed.

The Washington Post

Republican strategists said the widely divergent views on global warming expressed by the three invited scientists -- two longtime skeptics and one scientist who has built the case for concern -- reinforced the idea that climate science was still split.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Either case is cause for concern.

Los Angeles Times

But the cases are cause for concern, doctors say, because smallpox vaccine can harm the fetus by causing fetal vaccinia, an infection with the virus used in the vaccine.

The New York Times

Describing Lugod's case as a cause for concern, Walker said: "A major change in our standard legal practice, and the structure of our criminal justice system, is required".

The Guardian

The GPs' comments about different levels of education are justified because that is the case and a cause for concern in Sweden.

Chiropractic and Manual Therapies

Teresita Marie Bagasao, head of the Manila office of Unaids, told The Philippine Daily Inquirer that "while the absolute number of H.I.V. infections in the Philippines is still relatively low, the rate of increase in the number of cases is a cause for concern".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "case for concern" when you want to express that there is sufficient evidence or reason to be worried about a situation or development.

Common error

Avoid using "case for concern" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "reason for worry" or "cause for alarm" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "case for concern" functions as a noun phrase used to indicate that a particular situation or issue warrants worry or attention. Ludwig examples show it's used when there's sufficient evidence to justify apprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "case for concern" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a situation that warrants worry or attention. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides examples from reputable sources. When writing, it's best to use "case for concern" to highlight situations with sufficient evidence justifying apprehension and to avoid overuse by varying language with alternatives. Its neutral register allows its usage in a variety of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause for alarm

Emphasizes a sudden and immediate reason to be worried or frightened; highlights a more urgent situation.

reason for worry

Directly points out the existence of something that should make someone anxious.

grounds for apprehension

Suggests a formal or justified basis for feeling anxious or fearful about something.

matter of unease

Highlights the discomfort or anxiety associated with a specific situation or topic.

source of anxiety

Pinpoints the origin or cause that induces feelings of worry or nervousness.

point of concern

Focuses on a specific aspect or detail that is troubling or worthy of attention.

subject of worry

Indicates something that is being actively worried about or contemplated with anxiety.

area of apprehension

Designates a particular field or domain in which there are concerns or fears.

issue of anxiety

Highlights a specific problem or challenge that is causing distress or concern.

risk factor

Implies a correlation with potential negative outcomes or dangers, requiring careful consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "case for concern" in a sentence?

You can use "case for concern" to highlight situations that warrant attention or worry. For example: "The rising unemployment rate is a serious case for concern".

What are some alternatives to "case for concern"?

Alternatives include "cause for alarm", "reason for worry", or "ground for apprehension" depending on the specific context.

Is "case for concern" formal or informal?

"Case for concern" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as seen in its use across news articles and academic papers.

What makes something a "case for concern" rather than just a "concern"?

A "case for concern" suggests that there's enough evidence or reasoning to justify worry, elevating it beyond a mere concern. It implies a situation requires attention.