have a concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"have a concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you are worried about something. Example: I have a concern about our ability to achieve the desired outcome.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Harris does have a concern, though.

The New York Times

Mr. Siemens does have a concern about fairness.

The New York Times

"We have a concern with the way they are spending the money.

The New York Times

"I have a concern about the future of local print journalism.

The New York Times

She said: "I have a concern that we introduce instability into the system too often.

The Guardian

"And people will not drive through a neighborhood where they have a concern for their safety".

The New York Times

"I have a concern … We have to safeguard the individual right to petition [the court].

The Guardian

"Any time anybody wants to pick my pocket, I have a concern," he said.

The New York Times

"But we do have a concern that women may not be getting good information about that.

The New York Times

Read Wiggins' letter in full "Dear Sturgeon, I have a concern I would like to bring to your attention.

Independent

The reality was imprisonment in a room with people slinging lingo like "reaching out" and "I have a concern".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have a concern", clearly state the subject of your concern to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I have a concern", specify "I have a concern about the budget cuts".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "have a concern" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "I'm worried about" or "I'm a bit uneasy about" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a concern" functions as a means of expressing worry, unease, or apprehension about a particular subject or situation. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show it's used to introduce a specific point of worry or doubt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a concern" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express worry, unease, or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for written English and suitable for various contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional settings. Remember to clearly specify the subject of your concern to avoid ambiguity. If a more casual tone is desired, consider alternatives like "be worried about". The analysis indicates that "have a concern" frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it a valuable phrase for diverse communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be worried about

A more direct and common way of expressing worry or concern.

be anxious about

Similar to "be worried about", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on nervousness or unease.

find it worrisome

Emphasizes that the subject is causing concern, using an adjective to convey the feeling.

voice misgivings

Replaces "concern" with "misgivings", highlighting doubts or hesitations.

have doubts regarding

Specifies that the concern involves uncertainty or skepticism.

harbor reservations

Similar to "voice misgivings" but implies holding back or not fully expressing the concern.

be troubled by

Indicates that something is causing distress or worry.

express apprehension

Replaces "concern" with "apprehension", emphasizing a feeling of anxiety about future events.

see cause for alarm

Highlights that the concern is significant enough to warrant attention or action.

feel uneasy about

Shifts from a noun-based concern to a verb-based feeling, emphasizing a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "have a concern"?

You can use alternatives like "be worried about", "express apprehension", or "voice misgivings" depending on the context.

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

"Have a concern" is often followed by "about" or "regarding" to specify the subject of the concern. For instance, "I have a concern about the project's deadline" or "We have a concern regarding the new policy".

Is it better to say "have a concern about" or "have a concern regarding"?

Both "have a concern about" and "have a concern regarding" are grammatically correct. "About" is more common and generally suitable for informal contexts, while "regarding" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "have a concern" and "have a reservation"?

"Have a concern" generally implies a worry or unease about something, while "have a reservation" suggests a doubt or hesitation. A reservation is usually milder than a concern. You can use "harbor reservations" as a similar phrase.