clear concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear concern" is a valid phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a situation in which someone is clearly and understandably concerned about something. For example, "Everyone was expressing their clear concern over the proposed budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"One area of clear concern is Iran," Crocker was quoted as saying.

The Washington Post

Another source said: "There is clear concern in the Treasury and there are growing signs that the spending settlement is going to be re-opened".

Independent

Despite confusion about her diagnoses, there has been clear concern expressed in state records about the volume of drugs she was being given.

The New York Times

Francis maintained his usually serene exterior - until he stumbled and was dragged forwards into the audience, causing clear concern for members of his security detail.

Independent

This is the very behavior that prompted the present suit, and Judge Jackson, in his ruling, demonstrated clear concern over the issue.

The New York Times

A strong dislike of affectation and pomposity, she held a clear concern that writing should be a serious and moral art.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The presence of success-dependent fees would raise clear concerns about conflicts of interest.

The Guardian - Business

Given these and related developments, several things seem clear concerning international migration, at least for the foreseeable future.

Yale University

But now I realize, and "Americans Show Clear Concerns on Bush Agenda" illustrates, that the re-election of the president is the clearest demonstration of people's faith.

The New York Times

"The issue is clear: concerning the economy, Poland cannot waste time if it wants to underpin its foreign policy agenda," Ms. Bochniarz said.

The New York Times

Bernard Hogan-Howho was wappointedted Met commissioner last September, said he found clear concerns over the force's handling of the phone-hacking affair as he began the job.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear concern", ensure the context provides specific details about the cause of the concern to enhance clarity and impact. For example, "There is a "clear concern" about the environmental impact of the new factory."

Common error

Avoid using "clear concern" in overly general statements without specifying what the concern pertains to. Instead of saying "There is "clear concern" among the staff", specify the cause: "There is "clear concern" among the staff regarding the proposed changes to their benefits."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "clear" modifies the noun "concern". It indicates a distinct and easily recognizable state of worry or apprehension about something. Ludwig AI highlights examples from news media, science and business sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear concern" is a commonly used phrase that signifies an obvious and easily recognizable worry or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used correctly across various contexts, especially in news, science, and business. To use the phrase effectively, ensure that the context provides specific details about the cause of the concern. While grammatically sound, avoid using "clear concern" in overly general statements without clearly specifying what the concern pertains to. Alternatives like "evident apprehension" or "obvious worry" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident apprehension

Replaces "concern" with "apprehension" and "clear" with "evident" to suggest a readily noticeable worry.

obvious worry

Substitutes "concern" with "worry" and "clear" with "obvious", indicating an easily perceived state of unease.

unmistakable anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "clear" with "unmistakable" to denote a distinct feeling of unease or nervousness.

plain disquiet

Uses "disquiet" instead of "concern" and "plain" in place of "clear", suggesting a noticeable lack of tranquility.

distinct unease

Replaces "concern" with "unease" and "clear" with "distinct", highlighting a specific feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

noticeable apprehension

Replaces "clear" with "noticeable", indicating a visible concern.

evident worry

Replaces "clear" with "evident", suggesting that the worry is easily seen.

palpable concern

Replaces "clear" with "palpable", conveying a feeling that can be sensed.

readily apparent worry

Emphasizes the ease with which the worry can be seen or understood.

unconcealed anxiety

Focuses on the lack of attempt to hide the anxiety.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "clear concern" in a sentence?

Use "clear concern" when you want to emphasize that a particular worry or apprehension is easily noticeable or evident. For example, "The board expressed a "clear concern" about the company's declining revenue."

What are some alternatives to "clear concern"?

You can use alternatives like "evident apprehension", "obvious worry", or "unmistakable anxiety" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "very clear concern"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "very clear concern" can be seen as redundant because "clear" already implies a high degree of certainty. It's generally more concise and effective to simply use "clear concern".

In what situations is it appropriate to express "clear concern"?

It's appropriate to express "clear concern" in situations where there is an obvious reason for worry or apprehension, especially when discussing potential risks, negative impacts, or unfavorable outcomes. This is relevant in contexts such as project planning, policy debates, or risk management.