justifiable concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justifiable concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a worry or apprehension that is reasonable and can be supported with valid reasons or evidence. Example: "The community expressed justifiable concern over the proposed construction project, fearing it would disrupt local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

It's a justifiable concern.

The Guardian - Books

There was justifiable concern that looters would target the hospital's drug caches.

The New York Times - Books

At times, it was hard to distinguish between paranoia and justifiable concern.

The New York Times - Magazine

It even hailed Mr. Putin himself as a "reformer," despite some justifiable concern about his background.

The New York Times

It admitted "there was justifiable concern [last year]... that superinjunctions were being applied for and granted far too readily".

The Guardian

To progress from justifiable concern to bonus-point domination made it an eminently satisfactory late entry into the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Some of the changes raise justifiable concerns.

The Guardian

Only then will the public's – justifiable – concerns begin to be addressed".

The Guardian

He insists that he is no racist, but is voicing justifiable concerns about the backwardness of Islamic civilisation and culture.

The Economist

But at the same time there are justifiable concerns about attempts to criminalise some forms of unauthorised disclosure or whistleblowing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crockhart said: "It is disappointing that Michelle has chosen not to answer the justifiable concerns of her constituents.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "justifiable concern", ensure you can articulate the reasons or evidence that make the concern valid. Providing context strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "justifiable concern" as a mere intensifier. Always ensure that the concern is genuinely supportable with facts or logical reasoning to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justifiable concern" functions as an adjective-noun phrase that modifies and describes a particular worry or apprehension. Ludwig examples show it's used to highlight that the concern isn't arbitrary but based on valid reasons, emphasizing the legitimacy of the worry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "justifiable concern" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that indicates a worry or apprehension that is supported by valid reasons or evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this adjective-noun phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure the concern is genuinely supportable with facts or logical reasoning. Common alternatives include "legitimate worry", "valid apprehension", and "reasonable fear". Remember, while Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression, always substantiate the reasons behind the concern to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimate worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "justifiable" with "legitimate", emphasizing the validity of the worry.

valid apprehension

Uses "apprehension" instead of "concern", highlighting a feeling of anxiety or fear that is well-founded.

well-founded anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "justifiable" with "well-founded", stressing the solid basis for the anxiety.

reasonable fear

Substitutes "concern" with "fear" and "justifiable" with "reasonable", indicating that the fear is rational and logical.

defensible worry

Emphasizes that the worry can be defended or justified.

understandable apprehension

Indicates that the apprehension is easily understood or sympathized with.

supportable anxiety

Highlights that the anxiety is supported by evidence or reason.

warranted fear

Suggests that the fear is justified or deserved based on the circumstances.

grounded concern

Replaces "justifiable" with "grounded", meaning the concern is based on reality or facts.

legitimated anxiety

Suggests the anxiety has been legitimized, or made justifiable.

FAQs

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

You can use "justifiable concern" to describe a situation where there is a valid reason for worry or apprehension. For example: "There is "justifiable concern" over the rising sea levels affecting coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "justifiable concern"?

Alternatives include "legitimate worry", "valid apprehension", or "reasonable fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "justifiable concern"?

While "concern" often implies a degree of validity, using "justifiable concern" emphasizes that the worry is based on solid reasoning or evidence, making it not necessarily redundant if clarification is needed.

What distinguishes "justifiable concern" from a simple "concern"?

"Justifiable concern" explicitly indicates that the concern is well-founded and reasonable, whereas "concern" alone may not always imply a strong basis or reason. The former carries a heavier weight of evidence and reason.