certain concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain concerns" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to specific issues or worries that have been identified or acknowledged in a discussion or context. Example: "The committee addressed certain concerns raised by the community regarding the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The film feeds off certain concerns that are very valid in the world today.

The Guardian - Film

Though strikingly different in style and experience, the two freshmen commissioners share certain concerns.

The New York Times

We re-initiated on the company in March with a neutral rating given insufficient share upside and certain concerns.

The Guardian - Business

An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations, quoted Mr. Netanyahu as telling his aides: "I went in with certain concerns.

The New York Times

The increasing use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in consumer products has raised certain concerns over their safety to human health and the environment.

Toxicology

"Maybe his critics will start seeing that he has a point around certain concerns about justice and equality and that's how we move forward," Obama said.

The Guardian - Sport

"We had certain concerns about some of the airports in North Africa that we don't fly to but have been in discussions about.

The Guardian - Business

"Certain concerns" raised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) could not be resolved by the end of the year, the deadline for completing the deal, said Playtech.

The Guardian - Business

I write about certain concerns related to military service for a reason; however, I am not offering that as an excuse.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We start to feel a certain concern for the actual town.

The New York Times - Travel

"There is a certain concern for history but it's not very deep.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain concerns", be prepared to elaborate on the specific issues to provide clarity and context for your audience. Ensure the concerns are well-defined and relevant to the topic at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "certain concerns" as a placeholder without ever detailing what those concerns are. Vague language can undermine your credibility and leave the audience confused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain concerns" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it introduces issues or worries. For example, "Certain concerns were raised by the community."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain concerns" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce or highlight specific issues or worries. According to Ludwig, it is versatile, appearing across diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal business settings. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it is best practice to clarify these concerns to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. Alternatives like "specific issues" or "particular worries" can be used depending on the intended nuance. While Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness, specificity remains key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific issues

Replaces "concerns" with a more neutral term, emphasizing particular problems.

particular worries

Substitutes "concerns" with a word that highlights feelings of anxiety or unease.

specific reservations

Emphasizes doubts or hesitations about something.

designated apprehensions

Uses more formal language to convey similar meaning.

defined misgivings

Highlights feelings of doubt or anxiety about the outcome or consequences of something.

identifiable qualms

Focuses on specific, uneasy feelings or doubts.

precise anxieties

Highlights the accuracy and worries about something.

clear objections

Emphasizes clearly stated reasons for disagreement or disapproval.

selected anxieties

Focuses on the feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about a discernible aspect.

named troubles

Focuses on an acknowledged problem, difficulty, or worry.

FAQs

How can I use "certain concerns" in a sentence?

You can use "certain concerns" to introduce specific issues or worries related to a topic. For example, "The community raised certain concerns regarding the environmental impact of the new factory."

What are some alternatives to using "certain concerns"?

Alternatives include "specific issues", "particular worries", or "identifiable qualms" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "certain concerns"?

While "certain concerns" is acceptable, being specific enhances clarity and credibility. Instead of saying "certain concerns", consider detailing the exact issues, such as "environmental pollution" or "lack of transparency".

What does "certain" mean in the context of "certain concerns"?

In this context, "certain" indicates that the concerns are specific and identifiable, though not necessarily named explicitly at that moment. It implies that these aren't general anxieties, but more focused problems.