have been concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express ongoing worries or issues that have persisted over a period of time. Example: "The recent changes in policy have been concerning to many employees, leading to uncertainty about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A matter that might have been concerning for a politician heading into postsession town hall meetings has been defused.

The New York Times

Brazil's budget for cooperation initiatives has decreased significantly since 2010, while there have been concerning trends blurring the boundaries between cooperation, trade and investment.

The Guardian

Therefore, I don't think there will be an enduring problem in the financial markets, even though there are obviously a few cases in the last few days that have been concerning people".

The New York Times

However, recent performances and results have been concerning, considering the club currently boasts the fifth highest wage bill in League One in addition to a fourth highest equity donation by our owner.

The Guardian - Sport

"Some of the headwinds that have been concerning us, like the weakness in the financial sector, problems in the housing sector, balance sheet and deleveraging issues, may be stronger and more persistent than we thought".

The New York Times

"These last two weeks have been concerning, of course, but we are still waiting to see," said another senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid aggravating relations with Egypt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been concerning", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is causing the concern. For example, "The rising infection rates have been concerning health officials" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been concerning" when a simple past tense ("concerned") is more appropriate. "The report concerned many" is correct if describing a past event that caused worry, while "the report has been concerning many" suggests the concern is ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been concerning" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. This indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, expressing a continuous state of worry or unease. As Ludwig AI suggests, the structure implies ongoing concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been concerning" effectively conveys ongoing worry or unease, typically about situations or trends that began in the past and persist into the present. Grammatically sound, its usage is more common in news, science, and formal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase expresses an ongoing state. To maximize clarity, specify the subject of concern. Alternatives like "have raised concerns" and "have been troubling" offer nuanced variations, though ""have been concerning"" remains a reliable choice for expressing sustained apprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been troubling

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the disturbance caused.

have raised concerns

Focuses on the action of creating concern, rather than the state of being concerning.

have been alarming

Emphasizes the intensity of the concern or worry.

have caused anxiety

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the concern.

have worried

A more direct and simpler way of expressing concern.

have been a matter of concern

More formal and emphasizes the importance of the issue.

have been a source of worry

Highlights the origin or cause of the concern.

have prompted unease

Highlights the feeling of discomfort or anxiety that arises.

have given rise to apprehension

More formal and emphasizes a sense of foreboding.

have been problematic

Shifts the focus to the issues or difficulties that are causing concern.

FAQs

How do I use "have been concerning" in a sentence?

Use "have been concerning" to describe ongoing issues that have caused worry or unease over a period of time. For example, "The company's declining profits "have been concerning" investors".

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

"Have been concerning" indicates an ongoing or continuous state of worry. "Have concerned" suggests that something has caused worry at some point in the past. For example, "Recent policy changes "have been concerning" many employees" implies an ongoing worry, while "the news "has concerned" me" indicates a past worry that may or may not still be present.

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

You can use alternatives like "have raised concerns", "have been troubling", or "have caused anxiety" depending on the specific context.

Is "have been concerning" formal or informal?

"Have been concerning" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently seen in news reports, academic papers, and business communications, indicating a neutral level of formality.