fair concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair concern" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when expressing a legitimate or reasonable worry or issue that someone may have. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in a formal essay, an email, or a conversation. Example: "It is a fair concern that the proposed policy may negatively impact lower-income families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This is a fair concern, but it's not a given that R&D will decrease.

Harvard Business Review

One of them is a concern, and I think sometimes a fair concern, that jargon is euphemistic.

Harvard Business Review

That's a fair concern; everybody's sick of the branding hype and endless sales pitches that seem to pervade daily life.

The New York Times - Magazine

That may be a fair concern, but the proposed regulations clearly state that value-added assessment is only one option among many.

The Washington Post

A fair concern, Mr. Retsinas said, adding: "The commission believes in the continued importance of homeownership and there had to be some role for the government to preserve that option for middle-income families".

The New York Times

Mr. Levy said this week that the ethnic broadcasters had "a fair concern," but that he could not guarantee that they would keep the same spots they have now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Clearly fair concerns have been raised," he wrote in a two-page order.

The Guardian - Tech

"Clearly, fair concerns have been raised," wrote Judge Denny Chin of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The New York Times - Tech

These are fair concerns; we aren't advocating stem-to-root as an agricultural system, but as an occasional opportunity for culinary playfulness.

The New York Times

Putting those two together was a mistake — and it raised fair concerns about whether Lee's investment would color his coverage going forward.

The Washington Post

Indeed, her song is not only performed at a gay tempo, but with a chorus half comprised of jubilant trilling (the other half, to be fair, concerns how "all God's children have got to die").

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When acknowledging someone's worry, using "fair concern" shows respect and encourages open discussion. Acknowledge the merit of the concern before offering a solution.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a concern is "fair" without providing any further insight or potential remedies. Offer actionable steps or reassurances to show genuine engagement with the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "fair" modifies the noun "concern". It expresses the idea of a worry or issue that is considered legitimate, reasonable, or justified. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fair concern" is a common and grammatically correct way to acknowledge a worry or issue as legitimate and reasonable. As Ludwig AI indicates, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using "fair concern", it's best practice to not only acknowledge the concern but also offer potential solutions or further discussion. Alternatives like "valid worry" or "justified anxiety" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid worry

Emphasizes the legitimacy of the concern.

legitimate apprehension

Highlights the well-founded nature of the worry.

justified anxiety

Focuses on the reasons behind the anxious feeling.

reasonable misgiving

Suggests a doubt that is based on sound judgment.

well-founded fear

Indicates that the fear has a solid basis in reality.

understandable worry

Focuses on how easy it is to see why someone would be concerned.

valid reservation

Highlights a legitimate hesitation or doubt.

reasonable apprehension

Highlights apprehension that is sensible and justified.

legitimate fear

Emphasizes a fear that is based in reality and facts.

justified concern

Emphasizes a concern that is based in reality and facts.

FAQs

How to use "fair concern" in a sentence?

You can use "fair concern" to acknowledge that a worry or issue is legitimate and reasonable. For example: "It's a fair concern that the new policy might negatively affect our customers."

What can I say instead of "fair concern"?

You can use alternatives like "valid worry", "legitimate apprehension", or "justified anxiety" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe something as a "fair concern"?

It's appropriate when acknowledging the validity of someone's worry or objection, especially when addressing potential negative consequences or risks.

Is "fair concern" a formal or informal phrase?

"Fair concern" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it appropriate for discussions ranging from business meetings to casual conversations.