grave concern

USAGE SUMMARY

'grave concern' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express deep worry about something or a situation. For example, "The environmental activists expressed grave concern over the pollution of the river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"This trend is of grave concern".

The New York Times

America, too, has expressed "grave concern".

The Economist

That is indeed a grave concern.

The Economist

"This is an issue of grave concern.

Independent

CONGRESSIONAL jowls quivered with grave concern.

The Economist

"There's grave concern," Froemming said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a grave concern for us".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a grave concern," Mr. McDonough said of the delay.

The New York Times

The United Nations expressed grave concern today [Jan.

The New York Times

"The court decision is a cause for grave concern.

The New York Times

But now we have given them cause for grave concern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave concern" to emphasize the seriousness of a worry or issue. This phrase is suitable when the situation warrants a strong expression of apprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "grave concern" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's a formal phrase best reserved for serious or official communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave concern" functions as a noun phrase that typically follows a verb of expression, such as "express," "show," or "cause". It indicates a strong feeling of worry or unease about a particular situation or issue, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave concern" is a formal and impactful phrase used to express significant worry or alarm about a situation. As Ludwig's analysis and examples demonstrate, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Alternatives like "serious apprehension" or "profound worry" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Use "grave concern" to effectively communicate the seriousness of an issue, but avoid overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious apprehension

Replaces "concern" with a more formal synonym, while "serious" is similar in meaning to "grave".

profound worry

Uses "profound" to intensify the sense of concern and replaces "concern" with "worry".

deep anxiety

Substitutes both words for synonyms that emphasize emotional distress.

significant unease

Employs "significant" to highlight the importance of the concern and "unease" as a softer synonym.

extreme disquiet

Replaces "concern" with "disquiet", indicating a state of disturbance and anxiety, intensified by "extreme".

acute alarm

Substitutes with words suggesting a sudden and intense feeling of fear or apprehension.

dire misgivings

Uses "dire" to suggest a sense of impending doom and replaces "concern" with "misgivings", implying doubts or apprehensions.

severe reservations

Replaces "concern" with "reservations", indicating doubts or hesitations, and intensifies it with "severe".

substantial fear

Replaces "concern" with "fear", a stronger emotion, and uses "substantial" to emphasize its magnitude.

intense solicitude

Uses a more formal and less common word for worry or care, intensifying the feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave concern" to express serious worry about a situation. For example, "The international community expressed "grave concern" over the escalating conflict."

What are some alternatives to "grave concern"?

Some alternatives include "serious apprehension", "deep anxiety", or "profound worry". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "grave concern" in a business setting?

Yes, "grave concern" is appropriate in formal business communications when expressing serious worries or risks. It is more suitable for formal reports or official statements than casual emails.

What is the difference between "grave concern" and "serious concern"?

"Grave concern" implies a deeper and more profound level of worry than "serious concern". "Grave" emphasizes the significance and potential consequences of the issue.