less concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is causing less worry or anxiety than something else. For example, "The test results showed that there was less concerning activity in his heart than previously thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Sure, that was there, too, but it was less concerning.

The New York Times

Iran's grievances do not make its recent behavior any less concerning.

The New York Times

FIFA first, although it is the less concerning of the two prosecutions.

The Washington Post

No less concerning is what the Netanyahu-Lieberman combination may mean to Palestinian citizens of Israel.

The New York Times

Miami's injuries and morale are less concerning than those of Dallas.

The New York Times - Sports

But no less concerning – indeed, arguably even more damaging – was what those disclosures potentially revealed about our capability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Three-point response options: more concerned, no difference, less concerned.

BMJ Open

Others were less concerned.

The New York Times

Other neighbors were less concerned.

The New York Times

Mr. Yee seemed less concerned.

The New York Times

Obama, reasonably, is less concerned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the level of concern between two elements, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both, such as, "The environmental impact is "less concerning" than the economic benefits."

Common error

Avoid using "less concerning" with plural nouns or uncountable nouns requiring "fewer". For example, instead of "Less concerning issues were reported", use "Fewer concerning issues were reported."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less concerning" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it modifies a noun, indicating that something evokes a reduced amount of worry or anxiety in comparison to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less concerning" is a comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a reduced level of worry or anxiety. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and business publications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication styles. To enhance clarity, explicitly state what is being compared when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less worrying

Focus shifts to the act of worrying itself, rather than the object of concern.

not as alarming

Emphasizes a reduction in the level of alarm or fear something causes.

not so troublesome

Highlights a decrease in the difficulty or problems associated with something.

less problematic

Focuses on the reduction of issues or difficulties presented by something.

of reduced concern

Formal restructuring to emphasize the state of reduced concern.

not as significant

Highlights a decrease in the importance or consequence of something.

of lower priority

Indicates something has been moved down in importance relative to other things.

less serious

Emphasizes a decrease in the gravity or severity of a situation.

not as pressing

Suggests reduced urgency or immediate importance.

of diminished importance

Formal rephrasing emphasizing the lessened significance.

FAQs

How can I use "less concerning" in a sentence?

You can use "less concerning" to compare the degree of worry or importance between two things. For instance, "The side effects of the new medication are "less concerning" than those of the previous treatment".

What is a more formal alternative to "less concerning"?

A more formal alternative to "less concerning" is "of reduced concern" or "of diminished importance". For example, instead of "The risks are "less concerning"", you could say "The risks are of reduced concern".

Which is correct, "less concerning" or "fewer concerning"?

"Less concerning" is generally used with uncountable nouns or abstract concepts, while "fewer concerning" is used with countable nouns. It's generally better to rephrase to avoid the issue altogether. "There are "fewer concerning" issues" is grammatically correct, but awkward. Restructure the sentence.

What's the difference between "less concerning" and "not concerning"?

"Less concerning" implies a comparison to something else that is more concerning, suggesting a lower level of worry or importance. "Not concerning" means something is not causing any worry or importance at all. For example, "The initial symptoms were "less concerning" than the later complications", versus "The initial symptoms were not concerning".