competing concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competing concerns" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where multiple issues or priorities are in conflict with each other. Example: "In the debate over environmental regulations, there are often competing concerns between economic growth and ecological preservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At stake are potentially competing concerns.

The Guardian

Now federal officials are trying to juggle competing concerns.

The New York Times

The competing concerns involving human rights renew themselves in something of a vicious circle.

The New York Times

The tension reflected the competing concerns of two of Obama's advisers.

The New Yorker

"This legislation strikes a careful balance between these sometimes competing concerns".

The New York Times

Four years ago, the Republican platform made some effort to balance all of these competing concerns.

The Washington Post

That's really the driving force that could unify about 10 senators with competing concerns about the bill.

The Washington Post

Hillary had many competing concerns: in February of 1979, she had been made a partner in the Rose firm, and a year later their daughter, Chelsea, was born.

The New Yorker

"There are no perfect answers here, so we have to do the best we can in trying to adequately address a number of competing concerns.

The New York Times

At times, her assiduously cultivated ambivalence seems to paralyze her; she gets stuck between competing concerns, unable to say anything definitive about what she believes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sometimes-competing concerns of money, design and pedestrian flow were among the issues raised at a City Council hearing yesterday, the first at which the public testified on the plan, a Council spokesman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "competing concerns", clearly identify each concern to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the project had competing concerns", specify "the project had competing concerns regarding budget and timeline".

Common error

Avoid presenting "competing concerns" without offering a strategy for resolution or prioritization. Acknowledge the conflict and suggest a method for balancing or addressing each concern, rather than simply stating their existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competing concerns" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used to identify and describe situations where multiple interests or priorities are in opposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competing concerns" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe conflicting interests or priorities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and appropriate for use in various contexts. The phrase is especially common in News & Media and Science, with neutral to formal register. When employing "competing concerns", it is best practice to clearly identify each concern and address prioritization strategies. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "conflicting interests" or "contending priorities" based on the desired nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate complex situations involving "competing concerns".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competing interests

Focuses on the competitive element between the interests.

conflicting interests

Focuses on the clash of advantages or benefits each party seeks.

contending priorities

Emphasizes the order in which things are dealt with, highlighting the struggle for precedence.

opposing viewpoints

Highlights disagreement from different perspectives.

rival objectives

Stresses the competitive nature of desired outcomes.

divergent agendas

Underlines differences in underlying plans or goals.

clashing perspectives

Highlights discord regarding perceptions of something.

antagonistic interests

Focuses on interests that are actively hostile or opposed to each other.

discordant priorities

Emphasizes a lack of harmony in the arrangement of importance.

conflicting demands

Highlights incompatible requests or requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "competing concerns" to describe situations where different interests or priorities are in conflict, such as: "The government had to balance the "competing concerns" of economic growth and environmental protection."

What are some alternatives to "competing concerns"?

Alternatives include "conflicting interests", "contending priorities", or "opposing viewpoints", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "competing concerns"?

Yes, "competing concerns" is grammatically correct. "Competing" is an adjective modifying the noun "concerns", indicating that the concerns are in opposition or conflict with each other.

What's the difference between "competing concerns" and "conflicting concerns"?

While similar, "competing concerns" suggests a rivalry or struggle for priority, whereas "conflicting concerns" implies a direct opposition or incompatibility. The choice depends on the specific context.