Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
item of concern
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"item of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation or issue that needs to be addressed or considered. Example sentence: "Cybersecurity is an important item of concern for businesses today."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
matter of concern
issue of concern
cause for concern
area of worry
source of anxiety
Matter of concern
Issue of concern
Point of concern
Subject of concern
Cause for concern
item of importance
item of attention
item of significance
theme of concern
element of concern
topic of concern
thing of concern
item of discomfort
period of concern
material of concern
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
8 human-written examples
The Commission's third item of concern – that the government reconsider the ban on political advertising in the private media during election campaigns – was met with a firm "no" from Budapest.
News & Media
The interviewers followed the cognitive interview protocol with concurrent probing where each item of concern was administered and followed by scripted verbal probes [16].
Some DIF detection procedures, such as the standardization procedure (Dorans and Kulick 1986) and Mantel–Haenszel (Holland and Thayer 1988), include the examinee's score on the studied item of concern (the one for which the DIF detection procedures are being used) in the total test score.
Science
The successful completion of a response document is particularly satisfying, as one has clarified an item of concern and represented the information in a form that was not immediately apparent in its original format, which is what the art of effective communication is about.
Science & Research
Another item of concern was the lack of adequate river crossings.
Wiki
The government of Sri Lanka has been an item of concern to the international community and that concern grows.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
52 human-written examples
These 20 items-of-concern were developed from focus group sessions with patients regularly undergoing colonoscopies.
Science
The three items of concern for wireless wide area network (WWAN) links are identified in the chapter.
In case I needed reassurance that the sum of the world included items of concern to my generation, there were the Beatles (most successful group).
News & Media
Although obvious correlations were not found between individual items of concern and attitudes to construction of a facility, the discriminant analysis indicated dominant concerns of attitudes, but the disagreement between actual impact and citizens were found.
Science
On average, brain tumor patients reported 5.8 cancer-related items of concern.
Academia
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "item of concern", clearly define what the item is and why it is a concern. Providing context will ensure your message is easily understood.
Common error
Avoid using "item of concern" without specifying the item. Vague references can dilute the impact of your message and leave the audience confused.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "item of concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific thing or issue that is causing worry or requiring attention. As indicated by Ludwig, it's used to point out a specific problem.
Frequent in
Science
43%
News & Media
43%
Wiki
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "item of concern" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that identifies a specific thing or issue that causes worry or needs attention. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is best used when the item is clearly defined to avoid vagueness. The phrase has a neutral register, appearing in science, news, and general discussions. While not extremely frequent, it’s appropriate for highlighting specific problems and urging consideration or action. Alternatives such as "matter of concern" and "issue of concern" can be used for a more formal tone, while options like "area of worry" offer a less formal approach.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Matter of concern
This alternative replaces "item" with "matter", emphasizing the importance or significance of the concern.
Issue of concern
Substituting "item" with "issue" highlights the problematic or disputed nature of the concern.
Point of concern
Replacing "item" with "point" emphasizes a specific aspect or detail that is causing concern.
Area of concern
Using "area" instead of "item" broadens the scope of the concern to a general field or domain.
Subject of concern
Swapping "item" with "subject" focuses on the topic or theme that is causing worry.
Cause for concern
This alternative shifts the focus to the reason or basis for the concern, rather than the specific item itself.
Reason for concern
Similar to "cause for concern", this highlights the justification or rationale behind the worry.
Source of concern
This option emphasizes the origin or root of the concern, rather than the item itself.
Area of worry
Replaces concern with worry, changing slightly the strength of the feeling. It can be more suitable in informal contexts.
Source of anxiety
Similar to "source of concern", this option highlights what is creating the sensation of distress or uneasiness.
FAQs
How can I use "item of concern" in a sentence?
You can use "item of concern" to highlight a specific issue or problem that requires attention. For example: "Data privacy is a significant "item of concern" for many users."
What's a more formal way to say "item of concern"?
For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "matter of concern" or "issue of concern". These alternatives maintain a serious and professional tone.
Is "item of concern" the same as "cause for concern"?
While related, they have slightly different focuses. "Item of concern" refers to the specific thing causing worry, while "cause for concern" emphasizes the reason or justification for that worry.
What are some alternatives to "item of concern" that are less formal?
If you're aiming for a less formal tone, consider using "area of worry" or "source of anxiety". However, be mindful of the context and audience when choosing a less formal option.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested