dire concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"dire concern" is a perfectly acceptable phrase and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express an alarm or serious worry about a certain situation. For example, "The government expressed its dire concern over the rise in crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He was clearly rattled by the atmospherics, but of more dire concern was the man across the net.

The New Yorker

This is a particularly dire concern for the 50 million impoverished rural households who rely on the payments from India's federal workfare program, based on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, or MGNREGA.

University of California, Berkeley

Even a hard-nosed realist should regard corruption as a dire concern, she maintains, because it is not merely a matter of the rule of law and democratic principles — it is "a matter of national security".

The New Yorker

I was a tad confused by the Jan . 23letter of dire concern from the Feminist Press regarding the use of your reporter's word "confessional" in the recent article about Flavia Alaya's book "Under the Rose: A Confession," about Ms. Alaya's 20-year relationship with a Roman Catholic priest.

The New York Times

"With the recent events of a young man killed by the police in New York City and with Trayvon Martin and with all the other African-American young men that have been killed by police officers … this is a dire concern to the NAACP, especially our local organization," Gaskin said.

The Guardian

(Unrelated, but also of note from Nadal's memoir: "I find myself taking a lot of pees nervous pees just before a game, sometimes five or six in that final hour"). He was clearly rattled by the atmospherics, but of more dire concern was the man across the net.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But it is easy to forget about dire concerns once they have dissipated.

The New York Times - Sports

Fagan was aware that her revived memory rendered untrue her responses at voir dire concerning her lack of personal knowledge of violence and her impression of the Black Panther Party.

Cornell University

That number could not be confirmed and there were dire concerns that violence would spread as the import of the army announcement sinks in.

The Guardian

"We have dire concerns about how AB 32 is being implemented and the drastic effect it will have on our small business owners," said Julian Canete, chief executive of the group.

The New York Times

Because Canada isn't inspecting all trans-shipped goods bound for the United States, there are dire concerns that international opioid smugglers could disguise their narcotics as prescription drug packages.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dire concern" to convey a sense of urgency and the need for immediate attention or action. It's stronger than simply expressing worry.

Common error

Avoid using "dire concern" in contexts that are not genuinely serious. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Instead, use milder terms like "concern" or "worry" for less critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dire concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a verb (e.g., express, voice, feel). According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a significant degree of worry or alarm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dire concern" effectively communicates a serious worry or alarm, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and commonly used, it suits formal and neutral registers, emphasizing critical situations. Ludwig's examples highlight its prevalence in news and media, reflecting its role in conveying urgent issues. When using "dire concern", ensure the situation warrants its gravity to avoid diluting its impact. Remember, overuse can diminish its effect; reserve it for genuinely serious contexts to maintain its intended significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave worry

Emphasizes the seriousness of the concern.

serious apprehension

Highlights a feeling of anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

deep anxiety

Focuses on the profound level of unease.

acute alarm

Stresses the sudden and intense feeling of fear or concern.

significant unease

Underscores a notable lack of comfort or peace of mind.

pressing worry

Implies the concern is urgent and demands attention.

critical concern

Indicates the concern is of utmost importance and requires immediate action.

grave misgivings

Suggests strong doubts or hesitations about something.

profound disquiet

Highlights a deep-seated feeling of disturbance or anxiety.

extreme disquietude

Emphasizes a high degree of anxiety and restlessness.

FAQs

How can I use "dire concern" in a sentence?

You can use "dire concern" to express a serious worry about a situation. For example, "The environmental group expressed its "dire concern" over the increasing deforestation rates."

What's a good alternative to "dire concern"?

Alternatives to "dire concern" include "grave worry", "serious apprehension", or "deep anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "dire concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "dire concern" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing serious or critical issues. It's often used in news reports, academic papers, and business communications to highlight the severity of a situation.

What distinguishes "dire concern" from simple "concern"?

"Dire concern" implies a much greater level of seriousness and urgency than simple "concern". "Dire" emphasizes that the situation is critical and potentially has severe consequences, making it a stronger and more impactful phrase.