grounds for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"grounds for concern" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means a reason or justification for being worried or troubled about something. Example: The recent decline in the company's profits is grounds for concern among its shareholders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That ought to be grounds for concern.

The Economist

But there are grounds for concern.

The Economist

Porsche's history provides some grounds for concern.

The New York Times

There are good grounds for concern.

The Guardian

But there are still ample grounds for concern.

University of California, Berkeley

But there are some grounds for concern in politics.

The Economist

"There are no grounds for concern," he said.

The New York Times

All of these show some grounds for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mark Newman, chief research officer at telecoms consultancy, Ovum, thinks there may still be grounds for concern.

BBC

Given this level of hardship there are strong grounds for concern about likely impacts on the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

54– 57 The increased burden of MetS among individuals with psoriasis in this population-based study is grounds for concern from a public health perspective.

British Journal of Dermatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "grounds for concern", ensure that the context clearly explains the nature and scope of the potential problem.

Common error

Avoid using "grounds for concern" when the issue is already a certainty. This phrase is best used when introducing potential or developing issues, not confirmed ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds for concern" functions as a noun phrase that highlights the reasons or justifications behind worry or apprehension. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in introducing elements that warrant attention or indicate potential problems, as seen in contexts ranging from business to health.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grounds for concern" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce reasons for worry or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to highlight potential issues or risks. While alternatives like "reasons to be worried" or "cause for alarm" exist, "grounds for concern" offers a balanced and versatile option for signaling potential problems, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. Ensure you clearly articulate the scope and nature of the potential problem when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justification for worry

Emphasizes the logical basis for being worried.

reasons to be worried

Focuses on the emotional state of worry rather than the justification.

worrisome aspects

Highlights particular aspects of a situation that are causing worry.

reason for apprehension

Uses a more formal synonym for worry, 'apprehension'.

factors causing worry

Highlights that multiple factors can contribute to the feeling of worry.

cause for alarm

Implies a higher degree of urgency or seriousness than "grounds for concern".

alarming indicators

Focuses on specific indicators that signal potential problems.

source of anxiety

Highlights the anxiety produced by a situation, shifting the emphasis from the reason to the emotional consequence.

basis for unease

Substitutes "concern" with "unease", suggesting a mild level of worry.

points of apprehension

Refers to specific elements or aspects that cause apprehension.

FAQs

What does "grounds for concern" mean?

The phrase "grounds for concern" refers to reasons or justifications to be worried or anxious about something.

How can I use "grounds for concern" in a sentence?

You can use "grounds for concern" to introduce elements or issues that explain why someone should be worried about a particular situation. For instance: "The company's declining profits are "grounds for concern" among investors".

Are there similar phrases to "grounds for concern"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "reasons to be worried", "cause for alarm", or "source of anxiety" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "grounds for concern" and "cause for alarm"?

"Grounds for concern" generally indicates a reason to be worried, while "cause for alarm" suggests a more immediate and serious threat or danger.