concerns itself with

USAGE SUMMARY

"concerns itself with" is a perfectly valid expression in written English.
It typically means to focus attention or effort on something, and is often used to express a particular topic or concern. Here is an example sentence: The committee concerns itself with finding appropriate solutions to the issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Theatre concerns itself with contradictions.

The Guardian

Philosophy concerns itself with fundamental problems.

Stanford University

Witchcraft aside, it instead concerns itself with more domestic terrors.

The Guardian - Film

The opening episode concerns itself with friends Jess and Harry.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

State Board of Regents, which concerns itself with education.

The New Yorker

Each novel concerns itself with the mysteries within marriages.

The Guardian - Books

Epidemiology concerns itself with the incidence, distribution, cause, control, and prevention of disease.

Clinical and Translational Science Principles of Human Research

This research concerns itself with the new cavity design with a view to reaching higher gradients.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The criminal law in the usual course concerns itself with motives and consequences, not formalities.

Cornell University

The Design Program concerns itself with conceiving and designing products for the benefit of society.

Stanford University

In addition, the paper concerns itself with social issues in this developing sector.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the scope of a project, book, or study, "concerns itself with" can clearly define the central theme or topics covered.

Common error

Avoid using "concerns itself with" in casual conversation or informal writing. It may sound too formal or pretentious in those contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "is about" or "focuses on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concerns itself with" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the primary focus or subject matter of something. It indicates what a particular entity, such as a study, book, or organization, is primarily about. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concerns itself with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the primary focus or subject matter of something. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it is most frequently used in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, and its register is generally neutral to formal. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where a more formal or academic tone is appropriate, and to consider simpler alternatives like "deals with" or "focuses on" in more casual settings. Ludwig examples clearly demonstrate the breadth of its application across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deals with

Focuses on the act of handling or managing a topic.

focuses on

Emphasizes a specific point of attention.

is about

Indicates the central theme or subject matter.

addresses the issue of

Highlights the act of tackling a problem or subject.

revolves around

Suggests that something is central and of primary importance.

is interested in

Implies a curiosity or engagement with a topic.

is engaged in

Indicates active participation or involvement.

pertains to

Shows a direct relevance or connection to a subject.

is relevant to

Highlights the importance and connection to a specific area.

attends to

Underscores giving care and focus to something.

FAQs

What does "concerns itself with" mean?

The phrase "concerns itself with" means to be about, to deal with, or to focus on a particular subject or topic. It indicates a primary area of attention or interest.

How can I use "concerns itself with" in a sentence?

You can use "concerns itself with" to describe the main focus of a book, study, or organization. For example: "This research paper concerns itself with the effects of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "concerns itself with"?

Alternatives to "concerns itself with" include "deals with", "focuses on", "is about", or "addresses the issue of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "concerns itself with" and "is concerned with"?

"Concerns itself with" emphasizes a deliberate and active focus, while "is concerned with" can imply worry or interest. For example, "The study concerns itself with data analysis" indicates a focus, whereas "The researcher is concerned with data accuracy" indicates a worry about accuracy.