have certain concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have certain concerns" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing specific worries or issues regarding a topic or situation. Example: "During the meeting, I expressed that I have certain concerns about the project's timeline and budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We think it's a positive project -- but having said that we have certain concerns," said Warren P. Reiss, the general counsel at Scenic Hudson, a conservation group based in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We had certain concerns about some of the airports in North Africa that we don't fly to but have been in discussions about.

The Guardian - Business

A major strength of this study was that individuals were encouraged to talk for as long as they wished about subjects that mattered to them, so issues were raised that may not have emerged had a structured questionnaire been used and it may not have been understood why some individuals had certain concerns about sex or sexuality.

British Journal of General Practice

Kant admits that we have certain general concerns with beauty that mean that desire may follow from a judgment of beauty, but according to Kant, such desires do not have their source solely in the pleasure in the beautiful (Kant 1790, pp. 154 162, on "empirical interest" and "intellectual interest").

SEP

"Some people have certain expectations concerning the traditional politician's wife, though," he writes, "and I'm often asked: 'Where is your wife?

The New York Times

E.g., in order to see an object's shape and size it is necessary to have certain anticipations concerning the way in which retinal stimulations caused by the object would vary as a function of her point of view.

SEP

The results of this study support a hypothesis that individuals with IBS have certain personality traits concerning lower self-esteem and inferior coping strategies than patients without any present or previous GI complaints.

BMC Family Practice

We hypothesized that individuals with IBS might have certain personality traits concerning lower self-esteem and inferior coping strategies than patients without IBS that make them more vulnerable for this disorder.

BMC Family Practice

"Especially where advertising is concerned, children have certain vulnerabilities because of their age and how they perceive things, their cognitive abilities," said Wayne J. Keeley, director for the program.

The New York Times

"As a neighboring country we have serious concerns and we have certain rights... based on international law to protect our homeland security," Davutoglu said.

Vice

"We have certain standards so the disruption didn't concern me.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have certain concerns", be specific about what those concerns are to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. Providing context or examples can enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "have certain concerns" without clarifying the nature of those concerns. Vague statements can lead to confusion and undermine the effectiveness of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have certain concerns" functions as a way to express reservations or worries about a specific topic or situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have certain concerns" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey specific worries or reservations regarding a particular subject. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, it is best practice to clarify what those concerns are to ensure effective communication. Common contexts include news and media, science, and formal business settings. Alternatives include "harbor some reservations" or "possess particular worries". In short, the phrase serves as a nuanced way to introduce specific points of worry or critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harbor some reservations

Emphasizes a feeling of doubt or incomplete agreement.

possess particular worries

Highlights the feeling of anxiety regarding specific issues.

retain specific anxieties

Focuses on the retention of anxieties about something.

maintain some misgivings

Implies a feeling of doubt about the wisdom or advisability of a course of action.

hold particular apprehensions

Emphasizes a feeling of fear that something bad might happen.

feel uneasy about some aspects

Highlights a lack of comfort regarding specific parts of something.

notice some unsettling points

Focuses on observations of things that cause worry or unease.

find some elements troubling

Emphasizes that certain parts are causing distress.

perceive risks in certain areas

Highlights the perception of danger in specific aspects.

detect issues of worry

Focuses on identifying problems that cause concern.

FAQs

How can I use "have certain concerns" in a sentence?

You can use "have certain concerns" to express specific worries or issues regarding a topic or situation. For example, "I "have certain concerns" about the project's timeline and budget".

What are some alternatives to "have certain concerns"?

You can use alternatives like "harbor some reservations", "possess particular worries", or "maintain some misgivings" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific or vague when expressing that I "have certain concerns"?

It is always better to be specific. While the phrase ""have certain concerns"" acknowledges that there are issues, providing details enhances clarity and allows for more effective communication and problem-solving.

What's the difference between "have concerns" and ""have certain concerns""?

"Have concerns" is a general statement of worry, while ""have certain concerns"" implies that the worries are specific and defined.