causes for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"causes for concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate when something has produced a state of worry, such as when the safety inspector identified several structural issues that were causes for concern.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet there are causes for concern.

The New York Times

The causes for concern lie deep.

The New York Times

But there are also causes for concern.

The New York Times

Each could also identify causes for concern.

The New York Times

There are certainly many causes for concern.

Harvard Business Review

Rank all your causes for concern on a scale of: !

The New York Times

Scratch the surface and there are serious causes for concern.

The Guardian

For Kushner, there are other causes for concern.

The New Yorker

What were the bright spots and causes for concern?

Harvard University

There were other causes for concern within the confederacy.

Britannica

But to others, there were causes for concern.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "causes for concern", clearly specify what is causing the concern. Providing context helps the reader understand the severity and scope of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "causes for concern" as a vague statement. Always follow up with specific details about what those causes are. For example, instead of saying 'There are causes for concern', specify 'The declining sales figures and increasing customer complaints are causes for concern'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causes for concern" functions as a noun phrase, identifying specific reasons or factors that generate worry or apprehension. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to highlight problematic aspects in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "causes for concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that identifies specific reasons for worry or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using the phrase, be sure to provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact. Related phrases like "reasons for apprehension" or "grounds for worry" can be used as alternatives to add nuance. Avoid vagueness by always specifying what the causes are to effectively communicate the issue at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasons for apprehension

Focuses on the rationale behind the worry, emphasizing the reasons rather than the result.

grounds for worry

Highlights the justification for concern, similar to 'reasons for apprehension' but with a stronger emphasis on worry.

sources of anxiety

Emphasizes the origin of the anxiety, shifting the focus from general concern to a specific feeling of anxiety.

matters of unease

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the issues that cause a lack of comfort or peace.

areas of trepidation

Indicates specific fields or domains where fear or nervousness is present, focusing on anticipation of something negative.

potential pitfalls

Highlights possible dangers or problems that could arise, shifting the focus to prevention or awareness.

red flags

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate warning signs or signals of potential danger or problems, adding a sense of urgency.

warning signs

Points to indicators of possible problems or dangers, emphasizing caution and awareness.

danger signals

Similar to 'warning signs' but with a stronger connotation of immediate threat or risk.

worrying aspects

Highlights specific elements or features that are causing worry, focusing on particular details.

FAQs

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

You can use "causes for concern" to point out elements that are worrying or problematic. For instance, "The lack of funding and limited resources are significant causes for concern".

What are some alternatives to "causes for concern"?

Alternatives include "reasons for apprehension", "grounds for worry", or "sources of anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reasons for concern" or "causes for concern"?

Both "reasons for concern" and "causes for concern" are grammatically correct and widely accepted. The choice depends on the specific context, but they are largely interchangeable. If you want to emphasize the rationale use "reasons", and if you want to highlight the origin use "causes".

What is the difference between "concerns" and "causes for concern"?

"Concerns" are general worries or issues, while "causes for concern" refers to specific reasons or factors that are creating those worries. The latter is more specific and often requires further explanation.