heightening concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'heightening concern' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a situation is causing increased worry and anxiety. For example, "The rising cases of Covid-19 are heightening concern over the spread of the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The struggling music and book retailer last week issued its third profit warning since January, heightening concern about its prospects.

The Guardian - Business

Japan's trade surplus narrowed more in July than economists had forecast as automobile exports cooled, heightening concern that growth in Japan, the world's second-largest economy, might slow.

The New York Times

But recovery of that money has been thrown into doubt, heightening concern over financial obligations that troubled telephone upstarts may not be able to honor with Lucent.

The New York Times

Included in the 10 measures of the referendum is a controversial proposal to create a state panel to regulate media content, a proposal that is heightening concern among many Ecuadorean journalists.

The New York Times

Financial markets began the day down sharply after the Fed increased the rate on loans made directly to banks, heightening concern that the era of cheap money was drawing to a close.

The New York Times

Re "Caesarean Births in U.S. Hit 32% in '07, Heightening Concern Among Doctors" (news article, March 24): As a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist for more than 20 years, I share the concern about the increasing use of Caesarean section.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That was before he pitched atrociously down the stretch, heightening concerns about his back.

The New York Times - Sports

The credit market worries came on top of heightening concerns about economic growth in Europe and the United States.

The New York Times

The low figure is heightening concerns that many may file lawsuits against airlines and other entities instead.

The New York Times

Even within the chief investment office there were heightening concerns that the bets being made in London were incredibly complex and not fully understood by management in New York.

The New York Times

Joe Hart's fluctuating form only underscored his status as England's number one goalkeeper by heightening concerns that he has not faced any serious competition.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightening concern" when you want to emphasize the escalating nature of a worry or anxiety in a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "heightening concern" in contexts where the level of worry is minimal or insignificant. This phrase suggests a serious escalation of anxiety, so reserve it for situations where the concern is genuinely growing and substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightening concern" functions as a verb phrase + noun, where "heightening" acts as a present participle modifying the noun "concern". It is typically used to describe a situation or event that is causing an increase in worry or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heightening concern" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe an escalating sense of worry or anxiety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for use in formal writing, particularly in news reports, scientific articles, and professional communications. The analysis reveals that it is most commonly found in "News & Media" contexts, but also appears in "Science" and "Formal & Business" settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of worry is genuinely increasing and significant. While alternatives like "increasing worry" and "raising alarm" exist, "heightening concern" provides a specific emphasis on the growing nature of the anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing worry

Focuses on the emotional aspect of worry, rather than the formal term concern.

deepening anxiety

Emphasizes the psychological impact of the situation, using "anxiety" instead of "concern".

raising alarm

Implies a more active expression of concern, often involving public warnings.

growing apprehension

Highlights the anticipation of potential negative outcomes.

escalating unease

Suggests a gradual increase in discomfort and worry.

intensifying disquiet

Focuses on a disturbance of peace and tranquility.

exacerbating fears

Indicates that existing fears are being made worse.

fostering misgivings

Highlights the creation of doubts and hesitations.

magnifying anxieties

Presents a scenario where anxieties are enlarged or amplified.

aggravating apprehensions

Highlights the worsening of existing apprehensions or worries.

FAQs

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

You can use "heightening concern" to describe a situation where worry or anxiety is increasing, such as, "The lack of progress in negotiations is "heightening concern" among investors."

What are some alternatives to "heightening concern"?

Alternatives include "increasing worry", "raising alarm", or "deepening anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "heightening concern" or should I use another phrase?

Yes, "heightening concern" is a correct and usable phrase. However, you can also use alternatives like "increasing concern" or "growing concern" if they fit better in your context.

What's the difference between "heightening concern" and "increased concern"?

"Heightening concern" implies a process of worry or anxiety becoming more intense over time. "Increased concern" simply indicates that the level of worry is higher than before, without necessarily emphasizing the ongoing escalation.