concern lay with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concern lay with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the source or focus of concern in a particular situation or context. Example: "The concern lay with the safety of the workers during the construction process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Coates mentions this without the crucial qualifier that Moynihan's particular concern lay with the mismatch between the authority structure young people were encountering at home and the reality of a male authority structure in the broader society--a simple empirical reality in 1965.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our concern lies with the major proposed alternative to the current system.

The Guardian

What he forgets, however, is that our primary concern lies with patient safety and he's done nothing to assuage those concerns.

The Guardian

It is a tool for the EU to pass the buck for border control to private companies whose primary concern lies with their bottom line.

Independent

Concern lies with those who do not get enough protein, vitamins B12 and D, iron, calcium and zinc in their diets.

The New York Times - Health

"As we begin to gather information our primary concern lies with the ongoing safety and security of those involved in our response and recovery operations.

The Guardian

An intermediate level of landscape fragmentation appeared to decrease variation in total bird abundance and to provide greater overall species richness, the latter an important consideration when the concern lies with optimizing multiple species management.

Ecological Modelling

Our only concern lies with its difficulty, as a new breed of control combines with a good, old fashioned challenge to create an experience perhaps too intense for most tastes.

Independent

Its major concern lies with structural changes in world markets and the strategic positioning of an economy's key industrial sectors rather than with short-term allocative efficiency or aggregate supply and demand.

Harvard Business Review

Morgan Stanley said, "Our only concern lies with the possibility of disappointing G5 sales in the period".

Forbes

Rather, the concern lies with whether the attribute denotes a thing, a quality or, otherwise, a situation (Neale 2002: 144).

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concern lay with", ensure it clearly indicates the primary object or area of worry. Use it to introduce what is most at stake.

Common error

Avoid using "concern lay with" when a simple statement of focus is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact when expressing genuine worry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concern lay with" functions as a way to specify the object or area to which concern is directed. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is valid, focusing on specifying the cause of worry.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concern lay with" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the primary focus of worry or anxiety. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly introduces what is most at stake. Alternatives include phrases like "primary focus was on" or "main worry centered around", which may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary focus was on

More direct synonym, replacing 'concern' with 'focus'.

main worry centered around

Replaces 'concern' with 'worry' and restructures the sentence.

the focus rested on

Emphasizes the point of focus, less about the feeling of concern.

the emphasis was placed on

Stresses emphasis instead of concern; more about importance.

chief anxiety revolved around

Substitutes 'concern' with 'anxiety', implying a higher level of unease.

priority was given to

Focuses on prioritization rather than inherent concern.

attention was directed towards

Highlights direction of attention instead of underlying worries.

the main issue involved

Focuses on issue as the central problem, less about the feeling of concern.

the predominant thought was

Highlights the idea dominating thinking rather than an express concern.

major consideration was

Highlights a thought that needs to be considered instead of an express concern.

FAQs

How can I use "concern lay with" in a sentence?

Use "concern lay with" to emphasize where the main anxiety or worry is focused, as in, "The doctor's concern lay with the patient's persistent cough".

What are some alternatives to "concern lay with"?

You can use alternatives like "primary focus was on", "main worry centered around", or "the emphasis was placed on" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "concern was with" or "concern lay with"?

Both "concern was with" and "concern lay with" are grammatically acceptable. "Concern lay with" might be perceived as slightly more formal or literary.

What's the difference between "concern lay with" and "issue involved"?

"Concern lay with" implies a feeling of worry or anxiety about something. "Issue involved" refers to a problem or matter that needs to be addressed; it doesn't necessarily carry the same emotional weight.