major cause for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major cause for concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or situations that are significant enough to warrant worry or attention. Example: "The recent increase in pollution levels is a major cause for concern among environmentalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A major cause for concern.

The Guardian

Hardly a major cause for concern.

The Guardian

Children's services were identified as another major cause for concern.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, the new agreement does give one major cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

The conditions in which they are kept is the other major cause for concern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sunderland  A defender – the Black Cats' backline is a major cause for concern for Gus Poyet.

Independent

South Sudan's relationship with Khartoum has been a major cause for concern, both before and since independence.

The Guardian

It is hard to see why there would be major cause for concern, because both businesses operate in different sectors.

Independent

A major cause for concern inside and outside the administration is what most experts say are the worst conditions among Palestinians they have ever seen.

The New York Times

So the possibility that eToys is likely to need to return to the cash trough is not a major cause for concern, Mr. Noto said.

The New York Times

Coral bleaching is still a major cause for concern, particularly given the rising temperatures and other environmental changes that are foreseen for the coming decades.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major cause for concern", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject is concerning. Provide specific details or examples to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "major cause for concern" for trivial issues. Reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant significant attention and worry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major cause for concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something significant enough to warrant worry or attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It acts as a subject complement or a direct object, highlighting an issue demanding consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major cause for concern" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to highlight significant issues that require attention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Its primary function is to express worry and prompt action, making it suitable for formal and neutral contexts such as news reports, scientific studies, and business communications. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, reserving it for issues that genuinely warrant concern and providing specific details to support the claim. Alternatives like "significant reason for worry" or "serious issue of concern" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant reason for worry

Replaces "cause for concern" with "reason for worry" and "major" with "significant", slightly altering the tone.

serious issue of concern

Substitutes "major cause" with "serious issue", emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

grave cause for alarm

Replaces "concern" with "alarm" and "major" with "grave", intensifying the sense of urgency.

primary source of anxiety

Changes "cause for concern" to "source of anxiety", focusing on the emotional impact.

chief reason to be worried

Emphasizes the worrying aspect, replacing "concern" with "reason to be worried" and "major" with "chief".

principal basis for apprehension

Uses more formal vocabulary, substituting "cause" with "basis" and "concern" with "apprehension".

critical area of apprehension

Focuses on the area or domain of concern, using "area of apprehension" instead of "cause for concern".

substantial reason for disquiet

Replaces "concern" with "disquiet" and "major" with "substantial", indicating unease or anxiety.

significant source of unease

Changes "cause" to "source" and "concern" to "unease", highlighting a feeling of discomfort.

paramount reason for unease

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something that is not easy or comfortable, using "paramount" instead of "major".

FAQs

How can I use "major cause for concern" in a sentence?

Use "major cause for concern" to highlight issues of substantial importance. For example, "The increasing rate of deforestation is a "major cause for concern" for environmental scientists".

What are some alternatives to "major cause for concern"?

You can use alternatives like "significant reason for worry", "serious issue of concern", or "grave cause for alarm" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify the reason when using "major cause for concern"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the reason enhances clarity and impact. Vague statements weaken the phrase's effectiveness. Ensure the context implies or states what the concern relates to.

What is the difference between "minor cause for concern" and "major cause for concern"?

"Major cause for concern" indicates a significant issue requiring immediate attention, whereas "minor cause for concern" denotes a less critical issue that may still warrant monitoring but does not demand immediate action.