has been concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been concerning' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when talking about something that has been worrying or concerning someone for some time. For example, "The lack of diversity in our company's leadership has been concerning for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Much of the glut in oil which has been concerning investors in recent weeks can be attributed to excess supply rather than weakening demand, analysts said.

The Guardian - Business

This has been concerning governments for some time, hence the repeated bouts of what is called quantitative easing, a form of printing money.

Independent

But one of the issues that has been concerning health experts and ministers is the number of people who continue to take up smoking, particularly young people.

BBC

The response has been concerning.

Vice

Your attitude towards my constructive criticism has been concerning to me for quite some time.

Huffington Post

As an online-only dictionary, Schwartz believes that their data reveals something of what has been concerning people during 2012.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"OSHA has been concerned about this from the very start.

The New York Times - Science

Tunisia has been concerned about about fighters returning from Syria.

The Guardian

"For centuries, art has been concerned with light," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

The in vitro stability of HA coatings has been concerned, serving as a long-term application.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Gas hydrate has been concerned as a potential shallow hazard during deepwater drilling.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been concerning" when referring to an ongoing issue that has been causing worry or requiring attention over a period. Provide specific details about the issue to clarify the subject of concern.

Common error

While acceptable, "has been concerning" can sometimes sound passive or vague in formal writing. Consider using stronger verbs or more direct phrasing to emphasize the urgency or impact of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been concerning" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an ongoing action or state that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig's AI affirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been concerning" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey ongoing worry or unease about a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's considered neutral in tone, its application varies across contexts. News and media outlets, alongside scientific publications, frequently employ it to discuss developing problems. When employing this phrase, it's important to provide context and details for clarify. For example, "The rising costs of healthcare "has been concerning" many families."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is troubling

A more direct and slightly less formal way to express that something is causing worry.

is raising concerns

Focuses on the act of expressing worry or doubt about something.

is a source of concern

Replaces the verb 'concerning' with a noun phrase, shifting the focus slightly to the origin of the concern.

is a worrying trend

Specifically identifies the issue as a developing pattern that is causing concern.

is causing anxiety

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the issue, highlighting the anxiety it generates.

is prompting unease

Emphasizes the feeling of discomfort or anxiety that the issue is creating.

is giving cause for alarm

Suggests a higher level of urgency and potential danger than the original phrase.

is a matter of apprehension

Highlights the anticipation of potential problems or negative outcomes.

is of some concern

Softens the statement, indicating a mild level of worry or interest.

is warranting attention

Focuses on the need to address the issue, rather than the emotional response it evokes.

FAQs

What does "has been concerning" mean?

The phrase "has been concerning" indicates that something has been causing worry, unease, or requiring attention over a period of time. It suggests a continuous state of concern.

What can I say instead of "has been concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "is a source of concern", "is raising concerns", or "is troubling" depending on the context.

How to use "has been concerning" in a sentence?

For example, you can say, "The increasing number of cybersecurity breaches "has been concerning" for many businesses."

Is "has been concerning" formal or informal?

"Has been concerning" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more direct alternatives may be preferable in formal writing.