collective concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"collective concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to a shared attitude of fear, worry, or anxiety about something that affects a group or community of people. For example: "The collective concern of the community was that the new development would bring higher taxes and lower property values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The kidnappings had brought an unusual display of collective concern and political unity in Italy.

The New York Times

I was, for that morning at least, owned by the campsite, wrapped in their collective concern as warmly as I was wrapped in my towelling top.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And always in the background stands collective concern for the plight of Palestinians, still languishing in camps more than half a century after the establishment of the state of Israel.

Independent

"Maybe the collective concern is that they'll never be able to come up with a show that will rival or surpass the sensibility of 'The West Wing,' " said Shari Anne Brill, a senior vice president at the media agency Carat.

The New York Times - Arts

What brought us together was a collective concern about the continuing polarisation and a criticism of the government's attitude towards artists – pointing the finger at individuals and accusing them of being behind the protests.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Our collective concern is that we think the amounts of money being paid to these folks are by almost any measure obscene," said Stanley Eleff, a lawyer in Tampa who signed the letter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The collective concerns of youth culture — dropping out, getting high, generally thumbing the nose at the Man — take precedence.

The New York Times

Some describe poetry's trajectory during this period from "pure" to "social" as a move from yo to nosotros ("I" to "we"), from personal to collective concerns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though the Obama campaign has tried to exploit this with millions of dollars in anti-Bain ads, the real issue is how Romney's experience relates to a president's need to balance budgetary responsibility with the heavy lifting required to address our collective concerns, our common obligations.

The New York Times

Mule spinners, molders, machinists, and iron puddlers and rollers were employing new skills, and they functioned in a factory context, but they had much the same collective concerns as did traditional craftsmen and fitted readily into the emergent trade-union structure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some countries have already registered individual complaints, but the latest move represents collective concerns.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "collective concern", ensure the context clearly defines the group or community sharing the concern. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid attributing "collective concern" to an entire population without evidence. Focus on specific groups or segments where the concern is demonstrably prevalent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collective concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and name a shared state of worry or anxiety among a group of individuals. As shown by Ludwig, this term effectively encapsulates a community's shared apprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collective concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a shared feeling of worry or anxiety within a group. Ludwig's analysis, drawing from diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, confirms its widespread applicability. While "collective concern" is usually appropriate, writers should ensure it's applied to specific groups rather than broadly generalized populations. As evidenced by Ludwig, alternatives like "shared worry" or "public disquiet" can add nuance to your writing. The prevalence of "collective concern" across various domains underscores its importance in effectively conveying shared anxieties in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared worry

Focuses on the feeling of worry being commonly held.

shared anxiety

Focuses on the shared nature of the feeling of anxiety.

common anxiety

Emphasizes anxiety as a shared sentiment.

united anxiety

Emphasizes the unity in feeling anxious.

general apprehension

Highlights a widespread feeling of unease.

communal unease

Highlights a shared sense of unease within a community.

public disquiet

Suggests a sense of unease among the public.

mutual disquiet

Indicates a reciprocal feeling of unease.

national worry

Specifies the worry as being held at a national level.

societal apprehension

Indicates apprehension across the whole society.

FAQs

How can I use "collective concern" in a sentence?

You can use "collective concern" to describe a shared worry or anxiety within a group. For example: "The rising crime rate is a matter of "collective concern" for the residents.".

What's a more formal way to express "collective concern"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "public disquiet" or "general apprehension", which convey a similar meaning with slightly elevated language.

Is it correct to say "a collective concern" or simply "collective concern"?

While grammatically, both could be used, "collective concern" is more commonly used without the article "a" to refer to a general shared worry. Adding "a" would specify one particular instance or type of shared concern.

What are some situations where "collective concern" is commonly used?

"Collective concern" is often used in discussions about public health crises, environmental issues, economic downturns, and political instability where the worries are not individual but common to many.