long-standing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"long-standing concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate an issue that has been present for a long time. Example sentence: The long-standing concern over rising tuition costs has yet to find a suitable solution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It has maintained its long-standing concern for Italian social problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A long-standing concern for the environment led me to earmark $600 for Greenpeace.

The New Yorker

And among his Latin American group of bishops, America's embargo on Cuba was a long-standing concern.

The Economist

He called the mix of education and enforcement "a simple but effective way to combat a long-standing concern".

The Guardian

Government ministers are busy making false promises instead of working to find a real solution to this long-standing concern".

The Guardian

This reflects a long-standing concern that Britain's investors are too impatient for the long bets that technology companies require.But entrepreneurs' biggest difficulty is finding staff.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"These are long-standing concerns, and we intend to fix them," he said.

The New York Times

She says the courts, confirming long-standing concerns about unfairness, "always favour the man".

The Guardian - Opinion

Blair failed to dispel long-standing concerns that bringing Gaddafi in from the cold came at too high a price.

The Guardian

Mr Rifkind was quoted last night as saying he had long-standing concerns about the group but that the attack on Mr Bryant was "the last straw".

Independent

This discretion is rooted in long-standing concerns to be seen as good British citizens, to not show ingratitude to the "hospitality" of this country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long-standing concern", ensure the context clearly establishes the duration and relevance of the concern to the topic at hand. This phrase is effective for emphasizing the history and persistence of an issue.

Common error

Avoid using "long-standing concern" for recently emerged issues. This phrase implies a history and prolonged existence of the concern. Instead, use terms like "emerging issue" or "recent worry" for new problems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long-standing concern" functions as a noun phrase, where "long-standing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "concern". It indicates a particular worry or issue that has been present for a significant amount of time. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long-standing concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to underscore the sustained nature of an issue or worry. As noted by Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and formal business domains. Its purpose is to highlight the history and continuing relevance of a particular concern, often serving as a call for action. For alternative phrasing, consider "chronic worry" or "persistent anxiety", which offer slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Long-term worry

Indicates that the worry is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

Ongoing issue

Highlights that the issue is currently in progress and has been for some time.

Enduring problem

Stresses the problem's ability to last or remain.

Chronic worry

Focuses on the persistent and ongoing nature of the worry, highlighting its duration.

Persistent anxiety

Emphasizes the enduring and unwavering nature of the anxiety.

Deep-seated concern

Highlights the intensity and depth of the concern.

Established anxiety

Focuses on the anxiety being recognized and accepted.

Perennial problem

Suggests that the problem recurs regularly and is a constant feature.

Rooted issue

Implies that the issue is deeply embedded or ingrained.

Age-old worry

Focuses on a worry that has existed for generations.

FAQs

How can I use "long-standing concern" in a sentence?

You can use "long-standing concern" to highlight an issue that has persisted over time. For example: "The "long-standing concern" about climate change requires immediate action."

What are some alternatives to "long-standing concern"?

Alternatives include "chronic worry", "persistent anxiety", or "ongoing issue", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "long-standing concern" in formal writing?

Yes, "long-standing concern" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a professional and neutral phrase suitable for academic, business, and journalistic contexts.

What's the difference between "long-standing concern" and "recent concern"?

"Long-standing concern" refers to an issue that has been present for an extended period, while "recent concern" denotes a newly emerged issue. The choice depends on the timeframe you want to emphasize.