lively concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lively concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of concern that is active, engaged, or enthusiastic, often in a context where someone is showing genuine interest or care about a situation. Example: "Her lively concern for the community's well-being was evident in her efforts to organize the charity event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Onora O'Neill, the principal of Newnham College at Cambridge University, is known professionally in Britain as a moral and political theorist and to a wider public as the giver earlier this year of the BBC's Reith lectures, an annual series on an issue of lively concern.Her topic in the Reith lectures was restoring public trust in institutions, experts and authorities.

The Economist

She was a manager with a lively concern for efficiency and cleanliness but an apparent aversion to change".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Elsewhere, there was a lively debate concerning the best way to break through defensive belts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the most daring aspects of this novel is that Lively is concerned with the hearts and problems of older characters.

The New York Times - Books

A parable of contemporary life, Smith's lively satire concerns a guest who shows up at a dinner party in suburban London and locks himself inside a bedroom, where he remains for months.

The New York Times - Books

H. L. Mencken once wrote, "Taxation is eternally lively; it concerns nine-tenths of us more directly than either smallpox or golf, and has just as much drama in it".

The New Yorker

By Erin Overbey April 16 , 2012H. L. Mencken once wrote, "Taxation is eternally lively; it concerns nine-tenths of us more directly than either smallpox or golf, and has just as much drama in it".

The New Yorker

There is a lively debate concerning the possibility of coexistence of the two modes of timing for the execution of a single task.

Human Movement Science

The lack of public controversies in Spain, if we compare with the cases of UK or Iceland where there has been lively debates concerning large national biobanking initiatives, could be one of the reasons of why biobanks do not see interacting directly with the public as a priority.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The discussions of orders and methods, resolutions, compositions and the regressus-method are, therefore, not merely further elaborations of an old Aristotelian tradition, but also expressions of opinions in a lively debate concerning the changing relationships between various arts and sciences in sixteenth-century Italian universities (Mikkeli 1997, p. 228).

SEP

There is, first, a lively debate concerning putative epistemic aims, whether truth (or knowledge understood in the "weak" sense of true belief) (Goldman 1999), critical thinking or rationality and rational belief (or knowledge in the "strong" sense that includes justification) (Scheffler 1973/1989, Siegel 1988 , 1997 2005), or understanding (Elgin 1999, 1999a).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lively concern" to describe a type of concern that is active, engaged, or enthusiastic, often in a context where someone is showing genuine interest or care about a situation. For instance, describe someone's reaction to community matters or global events using this phrase to denote their active engagement.

Common error

While "lively concern" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced vocabulary might be preferable. Consider substituting with "keen interest" or "deep interest" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lively concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "lively" modifies the noun "concern". Ludwig AI explains that it describes an active, engaged interest or worry. As seen in the provided examples, it's used to convey a strong, often enthusiastic, sense of caring or attention.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lively concern" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes an active and engaged interest or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although its frequency is rare, it appears in authoritative sources such as The Economist and BBC, making it suitable for news, encyclopedic, and even scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider its nuance; it implies more than just interest—it suggests active involvement. For more formal settings, you might consider alternatives such as "keen interest" or "earnest attention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keen interest

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and eagerness in the interest.

active worry

Highlights the proactive and engaged nature of the worry.

deep interest

Stresses the intensity and profundity of the interest.

earnest attention

Focuses on the sincerity and seriousness of the attention given.

vibrant interest

Highlights the energetic and lively nature of the interest.

genuine care

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the care.

attentive interest

Highlights the focused and observant nature of the interest.

animated interest

Highlights the expressiveness and enthusiasm in the interest.

vigorous attention

Emphasizes the strength and energy applied to the attention.

passionate interest

Highlights the strong emotion and enthusiasm in the interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "lively concern" to describe someone's active and engaged interest in a particular issue. For example, "Her "lively concern" for environmental issues led her to volunteer at the local recycling center."

What are some alternatives to "lively concern"?

Alternatives to "lively concern" include "keen interest", "deep interest", or "genuine care", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "lively concern" most appropriate?

"Lively concern" is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize not just interest, but also active engagement and enthusiasm. It fits well in discussions about community involvement, social issues, or personal dedication.

Is "lively concern" formal or informal language?

"Lively concern" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "earnest attention" or "profound interest" to maintain a higher level of formality.