larger concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "larger concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue that is more significant or broader in scope than a specific problem or topic. Example: "While the budget cuts are troubling, we must also address the larger concern of declining enrollment in our programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But a larger concern is for the newspaper's character.

The New York Times

Is the issue of even larger concern now?

The New York Times

A larger concern for Mr. Rosen is security.

The New York Times

His ire was perhaps a proxy for a larger concern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A larger concern is rooted in Clinton's own long career.

The New Yorker

But the larger concern is Mr. Obiang himself.

The New York Times

Lane says the larger concern is that the golf course will not withstand future flooding.

The Guardian

A larger concern, at least for economists, is the challenge the deficit poses to the dollar.

The New York Times

My larger concern, however, was that Andrew was new to New York, a romantic and footloose.

The New York Times

A larger concern is what statisticians call "contamination" in the unscreened control group.

The New York Times - Health

The coming years will present us with a far larger concern, however.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "larger concern", ensure that the context clearly establishes the initial, smaller concern to which it is being compared. This provides a clear sense of scale and importance to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "larger concern" when the issue is already understood to be significant. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "larger concern" functions as a noun phrase often used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies a more significant or broader issue than one previously mentioned. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "larger concern" is a phrase used to emphasize a more significant issue that encompasses a smaller, related problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context for the initial concern to effectively highlight the scale of the "larger concern". While versatile, avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "greater concern" or "primary issue" depending on your specific needs. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively integrate "larger concern" into your writing to convey the importance of overarching issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater concern

This alternative uses "greater" to emphasize the increased importance or magnitude of the concern.

more significant worry

This phrase replaces "concern" with "worry" and uses "significant" to highlight the importance of the issue.

primary issue

This alternative shifts the focus to the main problem or matter at hand.

major apprehension

This phrase uses "apprehension" to convey a sense of anxiety and "major" to emphasize its importance.

principal anxiety

Using "anxiety" highlights the worry aspect, while "principal" indicates it's the most important.

overriding preoccupation

This alternative suggests that the concern dominates one's thoughts and attention.

foremost consideration

This phrase emphasizes that the concern is the most important thing to consider.

central problem

This alternative frames the concern as the core issue that needs to be addressed.

paramount consideration

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "most important consideration".

chief misgiving

This phrase highlights the feeling of doubt or unease that is the main concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "larger concern" to introduce a broader or more significant issue related to a specific problem. For instance, "While budget cuts are problematic, the "larger concern" is the long-term impact on our services".

What's a good alternative to "larger concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "greater issue", "more significant worry", or "primary issue". These alternatives emphasize the importance or scope of the concern.

Is it always necessary to specify a smaller concern before introducing a "larger concern"?

While not always mandatory, introducing a smaller, related issue before stating the ""larger concern"" often provides context and emphasizes the scale of the problem. It helps the reader understand why the larger issue is more significant.

What's the difference between "larger concern" and "main concern"?

"Larger concern" implies a broader scope or impact, while "main concern" simply indicates the most important issue. You might use ""larger concern"" when discussing a specific problem that is part of a bigger, more systemic issue.