cause of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where you are concerned about the potential negative consequences of a situation or problem. For example: "The rapid spread of the virus is a cause of concern for public health authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And that's a cause of concern".

The Guardian

"This is a major cause of concern for us.

The Guardian

"These irregularities are a cause of concern," he said.

The New York Times

Intensive farms are also a particular cause of concern.

The Guardian

Asked if so-called deep fakes are a serious cause of concern, Goel replied: "Yes.

Stanford University

But, the speed with which its affects have been felt should be a cause of concern.

Columbia University

"Climate change is very much a cause of concern for national, regional, and international security.

Columbia University

"Even though they're just tabloids, just rags, it's still a cause of concern," Page said.

The New Yorker

I know that this has quite rightly, been a cause of concern for the RCN.

The Guardian

For him, the way senior management treated officers was perhaps the single biggest cause of concern.

The Guardian

Intolerance and persecution of gays in other countries is a real cause of concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause of concern", clearly state what is causing the concern to ensure your message is direct and easily understood. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or situation prompting the worry.

Common error

Avoid using "cause of concern" without providing specific details about the concern. Instead of saying "the situation is a cause of concern", specify why the situation is concerning. For example, use "the lack of funding is a cause of concern because it may delay the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause of concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something that generates worry or unease. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause of concern" is a versatile and widely used expression to denote something that provokes worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what prompts the concern to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like ""reason to worry"" or ""source of anxiety"" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its function and appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate your concerns in various written and spoken contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point of concern

Similar to 'area of concern', but suggests a more specific issue or detail causing worry.

area of concern

Shifts the focus to a specific subject or field that is causing worry.

something to be concerned about

Expands the phrase into a more explicit expression of concern, highlighting the object of concern.

reason to worry

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of worry.

reason for alarm

Changes "cause" to "reason" and "concern" to "alarm", emphasizing a more heightened sense of worry.

matter of worry

Replaces "cause" with "matter" and "concern" with "worry", offering a slightly more informal tone.

source of anxiety

Substitutes "cause of concern" with a direct reference to anxiety, focusing on the emotional impact.

grounds for apprehension

Uses more formal vocabulary, suggesting a more reasoned or considered worry.

basis for disquiet

Employs "disquiet" to convey a sense of unease or disturbance, somewhat milder than outright worry.

matter of interest

Emphasizes the significance or relevance of something that warrants attention and consideration due to its potential implications or consequences.

FAQs

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

Use "cause of concern" to indicate something that provokes worry or anxiety. For example, "The increasing pollution levels are a major "cause of concern" for environmentalists".

What are some alternatives to "cause of concern"?

You can use phrases like "reason to worry", "source of anxiety", or "matter of worry" as alternatives to "cause of concern", depending on the context.

Is "reason of concern" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "reason of concern" is less common than "cause of concern". It's generally better to use ""cause of concern"" for clearer and more natural English.

What makes something a "cause of concern"?

A "cause of concern" arises when a situation, event, or factor presents potential negative consequences or risks that warrant attention and possibly intervention. This could be anything from environmental issues to economic instability.