highly concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express alarm, worry, or strong disapproval. For example, "It is highly concerning that the number of hate crimes against minorities has been increasing in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And that would be a highly concerning prospect.

The Guardian

"Obviously it is highly concerning and Cricket Australia has acted immediately," a team spokesman said yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

He said "it is highly concerning to me" that the invitation came on the same day as the Times report.

The Washington Post

"We have found highly concerning levels of rubbish on the sea floor," Chief Scientist Tim O'Hara said in a news release.

The Washington Post

At the Senior Bowl, he was stellar 85-percent of the time, but the remaining 15-percent of the time is highly concerning at the next level.

The Washington Post

"The fact that these older people are seeking financial advice from non-finance professionals, leaving their already stretched finances open to further risk, is highly concerning".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

This becomes even more apparent when the frequencies of the three answer categories "highly concerned," "concerned," and "somewhat concerned" are combined.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

This indicates that a large majority of the public is concerned or highly concerned about climate change and its potential impacts.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

On the continental scale, the responses show that 36.2%% of respondents are highly concerned, 33.8 % are concerned, and 15.3 % somewhat concerned (Fig. 1).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

"I'm highly concerned now," Dr. Robinson said.

The New York Times - Health

He is highly concerned with the problems of ecology.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly concerning" to express a significant level of worry or alarm, especially in formal or professional contexts. It is effective when emphasizing the seriousness of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "highly concerning" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or stilted when a simpler term like "worrying" or "alarming" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly concerning" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong sense of worry or alarm. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing situations that are significantly troubling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly concerning" is a common and grammatically correct way to express significant worry or alarm. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English, particularly in formal contexts such as news, science, and business. It functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to emphasize the seriousness of a situation. While effective, avoid overuse in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "worrying" or "alarming" might be more appropriate. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence in reputable sources like The Guardian and The Washington Post, underscoring its reliability and appropriateness for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply worrying

Replaces "highly concerning" with synonyms to express the same level of worry.

seriously alarming

Substitutes both adjectives for alternatives that emphasize the severity of the situation.

of grave concern

Uses a more formal and emphatic structure to indicate significant worry.

cause for alarm

Shifts the focus to the reason for worry rather than the degree.

reason for concern

A slightly less intense way to express that something is worrying.

matter of great concern

Highlights the significance of the concern.

raises serious questions

Focuses on the doubts and uncertainties created by the situation.

gives cause for anxiety

Emphasizes the emotional response of anxiety.

disturbing

A single-word alternative that directly describes the unsettling nature of something.

troubling

Another single-word alternative that suggests something is causing worry or unease.

FAQs

How can I use "highly concerning" in a sentence?

Use "highly concerning" to describe something that causes significant worry or alarm. For example, "The increase in cyber attacks is "highly concerning" to government officials".

What are some alternatives to "highly concerning"?

Alternatives include "deeply worrying", "seriously alarming", or "of grave concern", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "highly concerning" or "very concerning"?

"Highly concerning" often implies a more formal and serious tone than "very concerning". While both are acceptable, "highly concerning" is typically used in professional or official communications to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

What makes something "highly concerning" as opposed to just "concerning"?

The addition of "highly" intensifies the level of worry or alarm. Something that is "highly concerning" is not just a minor worry but a significant issue that demands attention and possibly action.