concerns were expressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concerns were expressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or worries that have been communicated by individuals or groups. Example: "During the meeting, concerns were expressed about the project's timeline and budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Frequent concerns were expressed about excessive speeds.

The New York Times - Sports

Concerns were expressed for the babies in attendance.

The New York Times

"If those concerns were expressed in this instance, certainly it was not to me.

The Guardian - Sport

Though the mood was described as mostly positive, concerns were expressed about the campaign's spending record.

The New York Times

Although most Tory Brexiter backbenchers kept their responses muted, concerns were expressed.

The Guardian

You may recall that similar concerns were expressed about the suspense thriller soon after the cold war ended.

The New York Times

Concerns were expressed about a "leadership vacuum" at the bank, which is in the process of selling off 632 branches.

The Guardian - Business

However, when these concerns were expressed, they were ignored by the "better informed" management.

The Economist

"Those concerns were expressed in council by me and by others.

Independent

Concerns were expressed last year to Holyrood's education committee that new teachers were not all equipped to teach children.

The Times

At a recent meeting of defense ministers from throughout the Western Hemisphere in Brazil, grave concerns were expressed about American assistance to the Colombian military.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose a synonym if "concerns were expressed" sounds too passive or formal. For example, in a less formal setting, "people worried" or "issues came up" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice, including "concerns were expressed", can make your writing sound weak or evasive. Try rephrasing to identify who expressed the concerns for a more direct and impactful sentence. Instead of "Concerns were expressed about the budget", consider "Stakeholders expressed concerns about the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concerns were expressed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that worries, doubts, or objections were communicated. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is used to report that concerns were voiced without necessarily specifying who voiced them, maintaining a level of neutrality. This usage is supported by the Ludwig AI, which validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concerns were expressed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that worries, doubts, or objections have been communicated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this passive construction is commonly found in formal contexts such as news reports, scientific publications, and business communications. While versatile, it’s important to be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider more active alternatives for a stronger impact. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, science, and academic writing. When choosing to use "concerns were expressed", ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality, and remember that there are various alternative phrasings that can be used to convey similar meanings with nuanced differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apprehensions were voiced

Replaces "concerns" with "apprehensions" and "expressed" with "voiced", emphasizing a slightly stronger sense of unease being communicated.

worries were articulated

Substitutes "concerns" with "worries" and "expressed" with "articulated", highlighting the clear and detailed communication of those worries.

doubts were raised

Replaces "concerns" with "doubts", shifting the focus specifically to expressions of uncertainty.

objections were noted

Emphasizes formal expressions of disagreement or opposition, replacing "concerns" with "objections".

reservations were shared

Replaces "concerns" with "reservations" and "expressed" with "shared", indicating that cautious opinions or hesitations were communicated among a group.

issues were brought up

Focuses on the act of introducing problems or matters of discussion, replacing "concerns" with "issues".

questions were posed

Highlights the act of asking about potential problems or uncertainties, replacing "concerns" with "questions".

misgivings were aired

Indicates that feelings of doubt or anxiety were openly expressed, replacing "concerns" with "misgivings".

disquiet was manifested

Focuses on the outward display of unease or anxiety, replacing "concerns" with "disquiet" and using a more formal verb.

unease was communicated

Highlights the communication of a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety, replacing "concerns" with "unease".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "concerns were expressed" to sound more active?

To make the sentence more active, specify who expressed the concerns. For example, instead of "concerns were expressed", use "stakeholders voiced concerns", "employees raised concerns", or "residents expressed worries".

What's the difference between "concerns were expressed" and "concerns were raised"?

"Concerns were expressed" is a more formal and neutral way of saying that worries or issues were communicated. "Concerns were raised" is slightly more direct and implies that someone actively brought up the concerns for discussion. Both are similar, but the latter suggests a more proactive approach.

When is it appropriate to use "concerns were expressed" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "concerns were expressed" in formal writing, such as reports, news articles, or academic papers, where a neutral and objective tone is desired. It's useful when the specific source of the concerns is less important than the fact that the concerns exist.

What are some alternatives to "concerns were expressed" that maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives to "concerns were expressed" that maintain a formal tone include "apprehensions were voiced", "reservations were shared", or "objections were noted". You can also use phrases like "issues were highlighted" or "challenges were identified" depending on the specific context. See also "worries were articulated".