looming concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looming concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a worry that is growing closer and more urgent and impending. For example, "The looming concern of climate change is a grave issue for our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

One looming concern is potential censorship by the Chinese government.

The New York Times - Arts

While the overall picture is good, Brexit remained a looming concern, said Donoghue.

The Guardian

But it is a looming concern for parents even at an early stage.

The New York Times

That is a looming concern now for Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the challenge to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

The New York Times

Third, looming concern over a British departure from the EU.The EU's unity in response to Russia's behaviour in Ukraine is fragile.

The Economist

The expiration date was a looming concern for landlords and tenants, especially those who began receiving rental assistance in 2014, affordable-housing advocates said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Yet Mr Sefcovic's confidence rests not on such promises, but on two looming concerns.

The Economist

The bank's other major businesses fared a bit better, despite the looming concerns about the job and housing markets.

The New York Times

Facebook is still in the middle of its House Intelligence Committee hearing about Russian election interference, but the looming concerns over misuse haven't dampened its business as profits continue to soar and its share price hits an all-time high.

TechCrunch

However, with increased emphasis on delivering healthcare through novel platforms, there are looming concerns of human providers being replaced by technology.

HuffPost

Mr. Dobhal's steep and solitary quest — to measure the changes in the glacier's size and volume — points to a looming worldwide concern, with particularly serious repercussions for India and its neighbors.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming concern" to effectively convey a sense of urgency and anticipation of a potential problem. This phrase is particularly useful in persuasive writing or when highlighting the importance of addressing an issue promptly.

Common error

While "looming concern" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly dramatic in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "upcoming issue" or "growing worry" when communicating informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looming concern" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "looming" modifies the noun "concern". It typically serves to highlight a worry or problem that is imminent and potentially threatening. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and provides several examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looming concern" is a valuable tool for expressing a sense of impending worry or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in reputable sources like the New York Times and The Guardian, particularly in News & Media contexts. While suitable for formal and neutral communications, it may be overly dramatic in casual conversation. Alternatives such as "impending worry" or "approaching problem" can offer similar meaning with slight variations in formality and intensity. Use "looming concern" when you want to emphasize the urgency and potential impact of a developing issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending worry

Replaces "concern" with a more direct synonym and "looming" with "impending", keeping a similar sense of something approaching.

approaching problem

Substitutes "concern" with "problem" and "looming" with "approaching", focusing on the problematic aspect.

gathering storm

Uses a metaphor to describe the growing intensity of the concern.

growing anxiety

Focuses on the emotional aspect of the concern, highlighting the increasing feeling of unease.

developing crisis

Emphasizes the potential for the concern to escalate into a full-blown crisis.

rising apprehension

Highlights the increasing feeling of worry and fear.

brewing trouble

Uses an informal expression to indicate that trouble is developing.

emerging challenge

Replaces "concern" with a more neutral "challenge", suitable when the situation isn't necessarily negative.

threatening issue

Emphasizes the potential harm that the issue may cause.

gathering threat

Highlights the dangerous potential of the concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "looming concern" to describe a problem or worry that is growing closer and more likely to happen. For instance, "The "looming concern" of job losses is affecting employee morale".

What are some alternatives to "looming concern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "impending worry", "approaching problem", or "gathering storm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looming concern" formal or informal?

"Looming concern" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and business communications. It might sound overdramatic in casual conversation.

What's the difference between ""looming concern"" and "pressing issue"?

"Looming concern" emphasizes the sense of something approaching and potentially threatening, while "pressing issue" highlights the urgency and need for immediate attention. They both describe important problems but from different angles.