have been concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has been worrying about something for a period of time. For example, "I have been concerned about the state of the economy for the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have been concerned and remain concerned about modernization.

The New York Times

Alabama should have been concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

But they needn't have been concerned.

The New York Times

Prosthodontic educators have been concerned with this interaction and communication.

The Saudi Dental Journal

Some advocates have been concerned about the proposed changes.

The New York Times - Health

And Touré would have been concerned about securing her position.

The New Yorker

Publishers have been concerned that such pricing devalues books.

The New York Times - Tech

"I have been concerned about his consistency," Mr. Parker said.

The New York Times

Environmentalists have been concerned about the aging pipeline infrastructure.

The New York Times

Publishers have been concerned that newsstand consolidation would slow sales.

The New York Times

"Players have been concerned since this event happened," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been concerned", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is worried or anxious about. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements where the object of concern is unclear. Be specific. Instead of saying "They have been concerned", clarify with "They have been concerned about the environmental impact of the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been concerned" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present perfect continuous tense of the verb "concern". It's used to indicate a state of worry or interest that has been ongoing for a period of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been concerned" is a versatile verb phrase used to express ongoing worry, interest, or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase is frequently found in news media, scientific publications, and academic writing, indicating its broad applicability. When using "have been concerned", be specific about the subject of concern to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "felt apprehensive" or "expressed misgivings" to fine-tune the nuance. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "have been concerned" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held reservations

Emphasizes the act of maintaining doubts or hesitations.

expressed misgivings

Focuses on voicing doubts or reservations about something.

remained uneasy

Highlights a persistent state of discomfort or anxiety.

felt apprehensive

Shifts the focus to a feeling of anxiety or unease about something.

were anxious

Highlights a state of worry or nervousness.

harbored worries

Implies a sense of keeping concerns private or internal.

took interest in

Implies an engagement and attention towards something.

gave thought to

Indicates consideration or contemplation of a topic.

paid attention to

Suggests a focus on observing and considering something.

were involved in

Focuses on active participation or engagement with something.

FAQs

How can I use "have been concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "have been concerned" to express worry or interest about a particular issue. For instance, "Experts "have been concerned" about the rising sea levels".

What are some alternative phrases for "have been concerned"?

Alternatives include phrases like "felt apprehensive", "harbored worries", or "expressed misgivings", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to use "have been concerned" or "are concerned"?

"Have been concerned" implies a worry that has persisted over time. "Are concerned" suggests a present state of worry. The choice depends on whether the concern is ongoing or recent.

What's the difference between "have been concerned" and "have had concerns"?

"Have been concerned" emphasizes the state of being worried, while "have had concerns" highlights the possession of specific worries or issues. For example, "They "have been concerned" about the new policy's impact" versus "They "have been concerned" about the new policy's impact".