causes concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causes concern" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing issues or situations that provoke worry or anxiety. For example, "The recent increase in pollution levels causes concern among residents." Alternative expressions include "raises alarm" and "elicits worry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That causes concern".

The New York Times

What jurors have seen causes concern.

The New Yorker

"Certainly it causes concern," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It is not just the woeful financial performance of the new ventures that causes concern.

The Guardian

It is the consistency of the low rankings that causes concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite only having powers over chief constables, a lot is happening that causes concern.

The Guardian

There is one further aspect of the ruling that causes concern.

The Guardian

The attack on the supermarket in Paris of course causes concern.

Independent

"It is not just the woeful financial performance of the new ventures that causes concern, he said.

The Guardian

Even departures of scientists not involved in research related to weapons can have an indirect effect on security-related research, and that also causes concern.

The New York Times

It is only when a crisis such as BSE or the MMR vaccine causes concern that we feel the need to question what's happening.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a specific subject (e.g. "the new policy") to clarify exactly what is provoking the worry.

Common error

Do not use the phrase with an undefined "it" when the cause of the concern is not previously mentioned. Ensure the reader knows exactly which event or data point "causes concern" to maintain professional clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causes concern" serves as a transitive verb phrase where "causes" acts as the main verb and "concern" serves as its direct object. According to Ludwig, it is used to attribute the origin of a feeling of worry to a specific event or fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "causes concern" is a highly reliable and versatile expression in English. Ludwig data confirms its validity with 60 high-quality examples from prestigious sources such as The New York Times and various scientific journals. It is primarily used to signal that a specific event, behavior, or set of data is troubling. Ludwig AI recommends it for formal writing, where objective reporting of risks or issues is required. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/arouses+concern" target="_blank" rel="alternative">arouses concern" can be used to vary your vocabulary, but "causes concern" remains the gold standard for clarity and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouses concern

implies a more sudden awakening or stimulation of worry

raises alarm

suggests a higher level of urgency and potential danger

elicits worry

functions as a more formal way to describe the response to a stimulus

provokes anxiety

focuses more specifically on a psychological or emotional distress response

sparks unease

describes the beginning of a feeling of discomfort or nervousness

triggers apprehension

points to a specific event that causes fear of future outcomes

prompts disquiet

uses a more literary term for a lack of peace or anxiety

stirs misgivings

implies a feeling of doubt or distrust about a situation

causes consternation

indicates a mixture of feelings including anxiety and confusion

fosters agitation

suggests a developing state of restlessness or trouble

FAQs

How do I use "causes concern" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation that makes people worried, such as "The rapid decline in biodiversity <a href="/s/causes+concern" target="_blank" rel="alternative">causes concern among environmentalists".

What is the difference between "causes concern" and "raises concern"?

While often interchangeable, "<a href="/s/raises+concern" target="_blank" rel="alternative">raises concern" is frequently used when a person actively brings an issue to light, whereas "causes concern" often describes the situation itself as the source of worry.

Is "causes concern" appropriate for formal reports?

Yes, it is a standard expression in professional and academic contexts. For a more intense version, you might use "<a href="/s/poses+a+risk" target="_blank" rel="alternative">poses a risk" or "<a href="/s/represents+a+threat" target="_blank" rel="alternative">represents a threat".

What can I say instead of "causes concern"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/arouses+concern" target="_blank" rel="alternative">arouses concern", "<a href="/s/elicits+worry" target="_blank" rel="alternative">elicits worry", or "<a href="/s/sparks+unease" target="_blank" rel="alternative">sparks unease" depending on the context.