growing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"growing concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a problem or issue that is becoming increasingly worse, or when discussing an issue that is becoming more and more of a concern. For example, "There is a growing concern among parents about the safety of their children in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rising student debt is a growing concern.

The New York Times

Across Europe, monitoring groups report growing concern.

Independent

Another growing concern was malnutrition and disease.

The Guardian

It is a growing concern among professionals.

The Guardian

Charities have reported growing concern about the continuing economic downturn.

Independent

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for most governments.

The New York Times

That helps to explain the growing concern about short-termism.

The Economist

Inequality is a growing concern from Berlin to Beijing.

The Economist

A growing concern on the part of some is "seismicity".

The Economist

This growing concern for our wellfare is embarrassing.

The New Yorker

Still, officials noted a growing concern about the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing concern" to introduce issues that are gaining attention and potentially require action. For example, "There is a growing concern about climate change and its impact on coastal communities."

Common error

Avoid using "growing concern" repeatedly within a short piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "rising anxiety" or "escalating problem" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing concern" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, signifying an issue becoming more worrisome or significant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing concern" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote an increasing level of worry or importance attributed to a particular issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, from formal news reports to scientific publications. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" sources, reflecting its relevance to current events and research. When using "growing concern", be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms like "rising anxiety" or "escalating problem" for variety. In summary, "growing concern" is a valuable phrase for expressing increasing unease or significance, but should be used thoughtfully and strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensifying worry

Mirrors "increasing worry" but may suggest a stronger, more immediate sense of concern.

increasing worry

Focuses on the emotional aspect of concern, highlighting the rise in worry.

rising anxiety

Similar to "increasing worry" but emphasizes the anxiety component.

mounting unease

Emphasizes the feeling of unease that is building up.

increasing apprehension

Similar to "rising anxiety", highlighting the feeling of dread or fear.

escalating problem

Shifts the focus to the problematic nature of the concern, suggesting it's becoming more severe.

developing anxiety

Synonymous, yet slightly more literal, emphasis on how anxiety is building.

burgeoning problem

Emphasizes that something is starting to grow quickly and cause trouble or difficulties.

emerging risk

Highlights the aspect of potential danger or negative consequence.

heightened awareness

Focuses on the increasing recognition of an issue, although it doesn't explicitly convey negativity.

FAQs

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

You can use "growing concern" to express increasing worry or importance about a specific issue. For example: "There is a "growing concern" about the rising cost of healthcare.".

What can I say instead of "growing concern"?

You can use alternatives like "increasing worry", "rising anxiety", or "escalating problem" depending on the context.

Is "growing concern" formal or informal?

"Growing concern" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations.

What are some common topics associated with "growing concern"?

Common topics associated with "growing concern" include environmental issues, public health, economic instability, and cybersecurity. For example, "There's a "growing concern" related to "cybersecurity" attacks".