concerns were raised

USAGE SUMMARY

"concerns were raised" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts. For example: "At the meeting, several concerns were raised about the proposed budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Major concerns were raised.

The New York Times

Concerns were raised about the well casing.

The New York Times

Concerns were raised and addressed".

The New York Times

But concerns were raised this year.

The Guardian

No further concerns were raised however and the child went home with her mother.

The Guardian

Similar concerns were raised during demonstrations against the proposed building of a mosque in Bendigo, Victoria.

The Guardian

Apparently, the executives said, he did not follow up carefully enough after the concerns were raised.

The New York Times

Concerns were raised on social media about the quality of jobs PaTH interns would perform.

The Guardian

When non-Muslim pupils asked the same question, no concerns were raised.

The Guardian

"Well, concerns were raised just by watching the TV," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

A college spokesman said concerns were raised last year by a former employee.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "concerns were raised" when you want to introduce issues that have been brought to attention, without necessarily indicating their validity or severity. This phrase is useful for maintaining neutrality when reporting different viewpoints.

Common error

While "concerns were raised" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate, such as "stakeholders raised concerns" to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concerns were raised" functions as a way to introduce or report that certain anxieties or issues have been brought to attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often appears in contexts where neutrality is important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concerns were raised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce issues or anxieties that have been brought to attention. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and scientific domains. While it maintains a neutral register, its impact can be amplified or softened through alternative phrasing, such as emphasizing severity with phrases like "serious issues were highlighted". While the passive voice construction is valid, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider active voice alternatives for a more direct tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues were highlighted

This alternative shifts the focus to emphasizing problems rather than just introducing worries.

doubts were expressed

It highlights uncertainty and skepticism, focusing on lack of conviction.

reservations were noted

It emphasizes a hesitant or qualified agreement, indicating some level of apprehension.

apprehensions were articulated

It emphasizes the verbal expression of anxieties and fears, often in a formal setting.

questions were brought up

It replaces "concerns" with "questions", suggesting an inquiry rather than a worry.

problems were identified

It focuses on spotting and naming difficulties rather than simply expressing worry.

difficulties were pointed out

It directs attention to specific challenges or obstacles that need to be addressed.

objections were voiced

It emphasizes dissent or opposition, making it stronger than simply raising concerns.

challenges were presented

It reframes worries as obstacles to overcome, adding a sense of action and response.

suspicions were aroused

It changes the tone to suggest a lack of trust and the beginning of speculation.

FAQs

How can I use "concerns were raised" in a sentence?

You can use "concerns were raised" to indicate that issues or anxieties have been brought up. For example, "During the meeting, "concerns were raised" about the project's timeline."

What's a more formal way to say "concerns were raised"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "reservations were noted" or "objections were voiced", which convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when expressing concerns?

While "concerns were raised" (passive) is correct, using active voice can sometimes be more direct. For instance, "stakeholders raised concerns" is an active alternative that can make your writing more impactful.

What can I say instead of "concerns were raised" to emphasize the severity of the issue?

To emphasize the severity, you might use phrases like "serious issues were highlighted" or "major problems were identified", which convey a stronger sense of urgency and importance.