concern to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concern to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concern about a particular issue or situation, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "There is a concern to be addressed regarding the project's timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They expected the villagers' primary concern to be contamination of water by bacteria.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"That is a significant concern, to be honest with you," Mr. Clarke said.

The New York Times

Rather, he saw "an obsessive concern to be on the safe side".

The Economist

"It's always been our concern to be a crime deterrent," she said.

The New Yorker

But again, there's no palpable sense of urgency or concern to be had".

The New York Times

"We are bound to say that we consider this concern to be somewhat fanciful," the ruling said.

The Guardian - Arts

Armco is the fourth large steel concern to be cited by the Justice Department for alleged reciprocal buying‐selling agreements.

The New York Times

Thucydides is notable for his concern to be accurate, his use of documents and his objectivity, although an Athenian patriot.

The New York Times - Books

The number of organizations that have filed amicus briefs on behalf of this interest, however, demonstrates that it is not a concern to be treated lightly.

Cornell University

Users are also provided with a quantitative result that enables areas of concern to be identified and trigger levels to be defined.

Ocean & Coastal Management

But the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, judged the level of pubic concern to be so high that the Crown Prosecution Service took it over.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "concern to be" with clearer alternatives like "area of concern" or "matter of concern" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not use the construction "concern to be" as it is often grammatically awkward. Opt for more direct and conventional expressions such as "concern about" or "issue to consider".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concern to be" functions as part of a larger clause, often aiming to identify something as a source of worry or a problem needing attention. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrasing is not ideal. It often serves to highlight an issue requiring resolution or consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "concern to be" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect due to its awkwardness. It's generally used to identify something as a worry or problem needing attention. For clearer and more effective communication, it is advisable to replace "concern to be" with more conventional alternatives such as "area of concern", "matter of concern", or "issue to address". These alternatives offer greater clarity and are grammatically sound, ensuring your message is conveyed effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

area of concern

Focuses on the specific subject of worry or attention rather than the state of being.

matter of concern

Emphasizes the importance of the issue causing worry.

reason for concern

Highlights the basis or cause of the worry.

issue to address

Shifts the focus to resolving a problem rather than simply being worried about it.

problem to solve

Implies a more proactive approach to dealing with a difficulty.

responsibility to fulfill

Highlights a duty or obligation that needs to be met.

task to complete

Focuses on the work that needs to be done rather than the underlying worry.

aspect to consider

Suggests a more thoughtful and analytical approach.

point to note

Emphasizes a specific detail that should be remembered.

something to think about

Encourages reflection and consideration of an idea.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "concern to be"?

You can use alternatives like "area of concern", "matter of concern", or "issue to address" depending on the context.

Is "concern to be" grammatically correct?

The phrase "concern to be" is generally considered grammatically awkward and not the clearest way to express a concern. It's better to use more common phrases such as "concern about" or "issue to consider".

How can I use "area of concern" instead of "concern to be"?

Instead of saying "That's a concern to be addressed", try "That's an area of concern that needs to be addressed". The latter is clearer and more grammatically sound.

What is the difference between "concern to be" and "concern about"?

"Concern to be" is an awkward phrasing, while "concern about" is a standard and grammatically correct way to express worry or apprehension regarding something. Always prefer the latter for clarity.