clear concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'clear concerns' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the process of addressing a situation in which people have voiced negative worries or doubts about something. For example: "The manager held a meeting to clear concerns about the new safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

Governance

International relations

Financial matters

Public safety

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Business

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

"We took action and installed an interim executive board [IEB] at the school in February because we had very clear concerns about governance," she said.

The Guardian

During a parliamentary debate last Thursday, MPs from the government and opposition parties expressed clear concerns regarding the use of joint enterprise laws.

The Times

The spokesman said Mr. Ban would "convey the clear concerns and expectations of the international community on the issues for which cooperation and progress are urgent for both regional stability and the welfare of the Iranian people".

The New York Times

"There is a recognition that progress has been made, but it is clear concerns still remain that the proposals do not go far enough in bringing stability and security to a chaotic industry.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

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

The Washington Post

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

Yale University

"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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear concerns" when you want to highlight that these issues are not just present, but also well-defined and understood by those involved.

Common error

Avoid using "clear concerns" as a placeholder when you haven't fully identified or articulated the specific issues. If you can't clearly define the concerns, use a more general term like "issues" or "challenges" until you can specify them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear concerns" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'clear' modifies 'concerns'. It is used to describe specific worries, anxieties, or reservations that are easily understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly employed to highlight well-defined issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear concerns" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight well-defined worries or reservations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure you specify what the concerns are to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "evident worries" or "obvious anxieties", though the best choice depends on the specific context. "Clear concerns" serves to emphasize that the issues are well-understood and require attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident worries

Emphasizes the obvious or easily noticeable nature of the worries.

obvious anxieties

Highlights the readily apparent nature of the anxieties.

distinct apprehensions

Focuses on the well-defined or easily distinguishable nature of the apprehensions.

unmistakable misgivings

Underscores that the misgivings cannot be misunderstood or overlooked.

pronounced fears

Indicates that the fears are significant and easily noticed.

unambiguous reservations

Stresses the lack of ambiguity or uncertainty in the reservations.

palpable disquiet

Emphasizes that the disquiet is so intense it can almost be felt.

marked unease

Highlights that the unease is noticeable and significant.

explicit worries

Highlights worries that are clearly stated rather than implied.

patent concerns

Emphasizes the obvious or self-evident nature of the concerns.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear concerns" to highlight anxieties or reservations that are well-defined and easily understood. For example: "The board expressed "clear concerns" about the project's budget overruns."

What are some alternatives to saying "clear concerns"?

Instead of "clear concerns", you could use phrases like "evident worries", "obvious anxieties", or "distinct apprehensions" to convey a similar meaning. The most suitable alternative will depend on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it appropriate to use "clear concerns" in formal writing?

Yes, "clear concerns" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in reputable sources. Its formality is considered neutral and can be found in academic texts, business reports and news articles.

What distinguishes "clear concerns" from just saying "concerns"?

Adding "clear" emphasizes that the concerns are not vague or undefined, but rather well-understood and articulated. It suggests a higher degree of awareness or agreement on the nature of the worries.