it concerns itself with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it concerns itself with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the subject matter or focus of a particular topic, work, or study. Example: "The research paper is comprehensive; it concerns itself with the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Diurnal variation of IOP has been examined in clinical studies for a long time, because it was felt that "it concerns itself with one of the most fundamental aspects of the disease" [ 5].

BMC Ophthalmology

Gone With The Wind is an extremely atypical big-budget studio project of its era in that it concerns itself with racial matters at all, though it blithely accepts the legitimacy of owning humans like livestock.

The Guardian - Film

Instead, it concerns itself with assorted comeuppances that arise from the first story.

The New York Times - Books

It concerns itself with art, music, architecture, indignity, loneliness, terror, betrayal, sex.

The Guardian - Books

"It concerns itself with a man in crisis on his 35th birthday.

The Guardian

As a graphic novel, it concerns itself with many aspects of the first Bali bombing, in October 2002.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Nor does it concern itself with external data about recording sessions or late-70s New York.

The Guardian - Books

Bernstein was a turning point in the history of computers and the law: it concerned itself with a UC Berkeley mathematician named Daniel Bernstein who challenged the American prohibition on producing cryptographic tools that could scramble messages with such efficiency that the police could not unscramble them.

The Guardian - Tech

The subsidiary didn't focus just on finished products, it concerned itself with the electronic building blocks that went into them.

TechCrunch

It concerned itself with distinguishing the phases in the organisation of human societies and correctly identifying the place of Greek slavery.

Wikipedia

It concerns itself not with the life or intentions of the artist, but with that semblance or appearance of life that the work itself possesses by virtue of its mimetic capacity for representation: its linguistic expressiveness, which is described as a verging and bordering on life (SW 1, 350).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it concerns itself with", ensure that the 'it' has a clear antecedent in your writing to avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it concerns itself with" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader knows exactly what "it" refers to, or rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of saying "The study is fascinating; it concerns itself with…", specify "The study concerns itself with…" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it concerns itself with" functions as a declarative statement, typically used to specify the subject matter or focus of a particular topic, study, or piece of work. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it concerns itself with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to define the central focus of a topic. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various formal and semi-formal contexts. While frequently found in news and scientific articles, it is less common in informal settings. To ensure clarity, always confirm that the "it" has a clear reference. For similar expressions, consider "it focuses on" or "it deals with". These alternatives offer ways to express a similar meaning while adjusting the emphasis on specific aspects of the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it focuses on

This alternative directly indicates the main subject or point of attention, suggesting a deliberate choice of emphasis.

it deals with

This phrase suggests handling or managing a particular topic, implying a more active engagement than simply concerning.

it is about

A simple and direct way to indicate the subject matter; suitable for general contexts.

it pertains to

This indicates relevance or connection to a specific subject, often used in formal or legal contexts.

it revolves around

Suggests that the subject is central and foundational, with everything else connected to it.

it is centered on

This implies a focal point or core subject around which other elements are organized.

it addresses

This suggests actively engaging with and discussing a particular issue or problem.

it is related to

This indicates a connection or association, but it might not be the primary focus.

it considers

This shows that something thinks about or takes into account the topic at hand.

it involves

This indicates that a subject includes or contains something as a necessary part or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "it concerns itself with" in a sentence?

Use "it concerns itself with" to specify the main topic or focus of something. For example, "The book concerns itself with the socio-economic impacts of globalization".

What are some alternatives to "it concerns itself with"?

You can use alternatives like "it focuses on", "it deals with", or "it is about" depending on the context.

Is "it concerns with" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrasing is "it concerns itself with". The reflexive pronoun "itself" is necessary when the subject is also the object of the verb "concerns".

What's the difference between "it concerns itself with" and "it is concerned with"?

"It concerns itself with" indicates the subject actively focuses on something, whereas "it is concerned with" suggests worry or interest. For example, "The research concerns itself with finding a cure" versus "The government is concerned with the rising unemployment rate".