it was concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was concerned" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a state of worry or involvement, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The committee was concerned about the recent changes in policy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The EC said it was concerned Gazprom "may be abusing its dominant position".

BBC

The commission said it was concerned Gazprom "may be abusing its dominant market position".

BBC

But at the same time, it was concerned with cost.

The New York Times

The Dakota said it was concerned about his finances.

The New York Times

Partly, too, it was concerned for party unity.

The Economist

It was concerned with what a detail could be.

The Guardian - Arts

Consumers Union said that it was concerned about the possible increases in fees.

The New York Times

The government said it was concerned by "statements intended to awaken strife between nationalities".

The Economist

Unicef said it was concerned about the prospect of worsening child malnutrition.

The New York Times

Wal-Mart said Monday that it was concerned about the impact on clinic customers.

The New York Times

The Bush administration said it was concerned about terrorists using Somalia as a sanctuary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing worry or concern, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying "it was concerned", specify who or what felt the concern, such as "the committee was concerned".

Common error

Overusing passive voice can make sentences vague. Instead of the ambiguous "it was concerned", actively state who held the concern. For example, replace "it was concerned about the budget" with "the board was concerned about the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was concerned" acts as a passive construction indicating a state of worry or apprehension. However, according to Ludwig AI, it lacks clarity and proper context. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various news and media outlets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was concerned" is frequently found across various sources, particularly in news and media. However, Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically questionable, advising for alternatives to improve clarity and grammatical accuracy. While the phrase appears commonly, especially from sources like BBC and The New York Times, direct, active constructions such as "they were worried" or "the organization expressed concern" provide better precision and impact. When writing, be mindful of clarity and consider active voice alternatives to improve your message. When clarity is paramount in communication, opting for clearer formulations will ensure your message is accurately conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were worried about it

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and easily understood expression of worry.

they were uneasy about it

Uses a more informal adjective to express a lack of comfort or ease regarding a situation.

they expressed concern

This shifts the focus to an explicit expression of worry, replacing the passive voice with an active one.

it caused them anxiety

Highlights the emotional impact of the situation, focusing on the feeling of unease and worry it created.

the matter worried them

Replaces the passive construction with an active voice, clearly indicating the subject and object of the concern.

their fear was that

This rephrases the concern as a direct fear, clarifying the subject's specific worry or apprehension.

they felt apprehensive

Substitutes "concerned" with a synonym that indicates a feeling of anxiety or unease about a future event.

they had reservations

Conveys a similar sense of unease or doubt, often used in the context of agreements or decisions.

they regarded it with suspicion

Emphasizes a lack of trust or a belief that something may be wrong, adding a stronger negative connotation.

they took it seriously

Indicates a solemn and attentive approach to the situation, suggesting the potential for negative consequences.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it was concerned" that provide more clarity?

Consider alternatives like "they were worried", "they expressed concern", or "it caused them anxiety" for clearer communication.

Is "it was concerned" grammatically correct in formal writing?

Ludwig AI identifies "it was concerned" as not grammatically correct. It's advisable to use clearer alternatives like "they were concerned" or specify who held the concern for better formal writing.

How can I use "it was concerned" correctly in a sentence?

While "it was concerned" may appear in some contexts, it often lacks clarity. Rephrase to specify the subject, like "the organization was concerned" or use a more active expression such as "the organization expressed concern".

What's the difference between "it was concerned" and "they were concerned"?

"They were concerned" clearly identifies the subject expressing concern, whereas "it was concerned" is more ambiguous and less direct. Using "they were concerned" enhances clarity and grammatical correctness.