harbor concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"harbor concern" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is most often used in the context of feeling worried or anxious about a situation. For example, "I can't help but harbor concern over the economic future of my country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And yet even those who harbor concern mostly refuse to buy into the meme that a progressive city government would inevitably result in a New York of crack dens and subway muggings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

NEW JERSEY Voters across the country harbor concerns about progress in Iraq, but are uncomfortable with the notion of breaking faith with the president in wartime.

The New York Times

E.U. officials also harbor concerns about Britain, which has long been extremely wary of submitting its citizens to tax rules overseen by Brussels.

The New York Times

One company's experience in offering an attractive benefit -- the four-day workweek -- to a small group of employees may help explain the doubts that many managers harbor concerning employer of choice.

The New York Times

European officials also harbor concerns about the extent to which the island country, with its low taxes and lax bank regulation, has become a hub for Russian influence and for money laundering.

The New York Times

Though they added the exciting right-hander Zack Wheeler — set to make his Citi Field debut Sunday afternoon — from the minor leagues this month, they continue to harbor concerns about the left-hander Jon Niese, who was found to have a partly torn rotator cuff last week.

The New York Times - Sports

If he does harbor concerns, he certainly didn’t show them.

Forbes

Ron Hira, Professor of Public Policy, Howard University; Research Associate, Economic Policy Institute Americans continue to harbor concerns about the economy even with record stock prices and low unemployment rates.

Huffington Post

While many Turks see Erdogan as the problem rather than the cure for this period of violence, others will have had no wish to rock the political boat by supporting a "no" vote, even if they harbor concerns about the methods Erdogan employs to quash dissent — better a strong hand than chaos.

Huffington Post

In addition to challenges caused by their mood symptoms, parents affected with BPD harbor concerns about the mental health of their children.

BMC Psychiatry

In so far as pop culture — particularly the horror genre — is a barometer of social anxiety, we've long been harboring concern about the potential of some deadly and exotic disease to annihilate us all.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harbor concern" to convey a sense of quiet, persistent worry rather than an immediate, acute fear. This phrase is particularly effective when describing underlying anxieties or reservations about a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "harbor concern" when a stronger expression of fear or alarm is more appropriate. This phrase implies a subdued, lingering worry, not a sudden, intense panic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbor concern" functions as a verb phrase where "harbor" acts as a transitive verb taking "concern" as its object. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase expresses a feeling of worry or anxiety. The verb "harbor" suggests a persistent or underlying feeling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harbor concern" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to convey a sense of underlying worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to describe persistent feelings rather than acute or immediate fears. This phrase appears frequently in news and media outlets, as well as in scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, it's crucial to understand the intensity and nuance of "harbor concern" and not confuse it with stronger expressions of fear or alarm. The provided examples from Ludwig highlight its use in discussions about societal issues, personal health, and potential risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worry about

A direct expression of concern for someone or something.

have reservations

Expresses a feeling of doubt or unease about something.

be anxious about

Emphasizes the state of worry and unease regarding a particular subject.

feel apprehensive

Highlights a sense of anxiety or fear about what might happen.

entertain doubts

Suggests considering the possibility that something may not be right or true.

feel uneasy about

Expresses a lack of comfort or peace of mind regarding something.

have misgivings

Indicates a feeling of uncertainty or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something.

hold fears

Highlights the specific emotion of fear in relation to a subject.

nurse worries

Suggests tending to and maintaining a state of worry.

maintain apprehensions

Implies a sustained feeling of anxiety about future events.

FAQs

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

You can use "harbor concern" to express underlying worry or anxiety about a situation. For example: "Many experts "harbor concern" about the long-term effects of climate change."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have reservations", "feel apprehensive", or "worry about".

Is it more formal to say "harbor concern" or "worry about"?

"Harbor concern" is generally considered more formal than "worry about". "Harbor" suggests a deeper, more persistent level of concern.

What's the difference between "harbor concern" and "express concern"?

"Harbor concern" refers to an internal feeling of worry, while "express concern" implies making that worry known to others. You can harbor concern without expressing it.