legitimate concern

USAGE SUMMARY

'legitimate concern' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe worries or doubts that are reasonable and justified given the circumstances. For example, "Many people have expressed a legitimate concern that the proposed changes to the program could have a negative impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's one legitimate concern.

The New York Times

It's a legitimate concern.

The New York Times

She's got a legitimate concern.

Independent

That last is a legitimate concern.

The New York Times

That is a legitimate concern.

The New York Times

This is a legitimate concern.

The New Yorker

Reproductive cloning is a legitimate concern.

The New York Times

This is a legitimate concern for homeowners.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report expressed a legitimate concern.

The New Yorker

That may be a legitimate concern.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Reasons for interest include fanboyism, professional interest, idleness, schadenfreude, legitimate concern… there was something for everybody.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly establishes whose concern it is. Is it a personal concern, a public concern, or a concern of a specific group?

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate concern" as a dismissive phrase to shut down conversation. Always provide a thoughtful explanation even if you believe the concern is unwarranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific worry, fear, or issue that is considered valid or justified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression, used to express that a concern is reasonable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate concern" is a commonly used phrase to denote a valid or justified worry. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. While it's important to use this phrase accurately and support it with clear reasoning, it helps convey the importance of the issue being raised. Consider using related phrases like "valid worry" or ""genuine concern"" to add variety to your writing. It is essential to avoid overstating legitimacy and ensure that concerns are handled thoughtfully rather than dismissively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", emphasizing the feeling of unease and apprehension and "legitimate" with "valid".

justifiable worry

Similar to "valid worry", but suggests the worry is defensible and well-founded.

reasonable apprehension

Replaces "concern" with a more formal term, "apprehension", and legitimate with "reasonable" indicating an expectation of something negative.

well-founded fear

Highlights the fear aspect of the concern, implying it's based on solid evidence and "legitimate" with "well-founded".

genuine worry

Replaces "legitimate" with "genuine", highlighting the authenticity and sincerity of the concern.

real issue

Shifts the focus from the feeling of concern to the underlying problem, suggesting it's a tangible and existing issue. Replaces "legitimate" with "real".

valid point

Replaces concern with point, this emphasizes the validity of the observation rather than the worry itself. Replaces "legitimate" with "valid".

substantive issue

Highlights the significance of the issue, suggesting it has real impact and importance. Replaces "legitimate" with "substantive".

important consideration

Replaces concern with consideration, suggesting it needs careful thought and attention. Replaces "legitimate" with "important".

noteworthy apprehension

Focuses on apprehension rather than concern and replaces legitimate with noteworthy, indicating that it is deserving of attention.

FAQs

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

Use "legitimate concern" to describe worries that are reasonable given the situation. For example: "There is "genuine concern" about the environmental impact of the project".

What's a less formal alternative to "legitimate concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "valid worry", "real issue", or "genuine worry".

Is it redundant to say "very legitimate concern"?

While not strictly incorrect, adding "very" can be redundant. The word "legitimate" already implies validity, so it's generally stronger to simply state "legitimate concern".

What is the difference between a "legitimate concern" and a "minor worry"?

A "legitimate concern" suggests a significant issue that warrants attention, while a "minor worry" implies something less serious and perhaps easily resolved.