may be concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be concern" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a confusion between "may be" and "may be a concern." Example: "There may be a concern regarding the project's timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Now 42, he's achieved the first twice over, although there may be concern in West Sussex if he tries the latter.

The Guardian

There may be concern among investors and analysts that a broad slowdown in spending on communications gear threatens the health of the entire communications equipment industry.

The New York Times

One reason that economists may be uncomfortable talking about trade's impact on jobs and wages may be concern that it could set off protectionist responses.

The New York Times

Indeed the senior Scotland Yard officer who prepared the police brief concedes: "There may be concern in some quarters regarding whether this is too long a period". There certainly is.

The Guardian

Others see a direct response to events in Egypt.One reason for calling the election early, rather than simply ditching the referendum, may be concern about the economy notably rising prices.

The Economist

"I have no reason to think there are ulterior motives," Mr. Jonas said, "but there may be concern that there's another shoe to drop, another quality issue coming and maybe that's why the stock is down as much as it is".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some potential customers may be concerned about security.

The New York Times - Tech

Some may be concerned that team members will feel disempowered.

Harvard Business Review

Some readers may be concerned that the in the future robots may mistreat their pets.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Mets considered Martin last winter but may be concerned about his $5 million salary for next year.

The New York Times - Sports

As she does, viewers may be concerned about manipulation on more than one front.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use a determiner (a, the, some, any) or an adjective before "concern" (e.g., "there may be a concern", "there may be valid concerns", "there may be serious concern") to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "concern" directly after "may be" without an article or adjective. This omission results in ungrammatical phrasing. Instead, opt for "there may be a concern" or "there may be concerns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be concern" is grammatically incorrect and functions as an incomplete expression of potential worry or issue. Due to the grammatical error pointed out by Ludwig, it doesn't convey a clear, understandable meaning without further modification. Using "may be a concern" or "may be concerns" offers a more complete and grammatically sound alternative.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be concern" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the absence of a determiner or adjective before "concern" makes the phrase non-idiomatic. To correct this, use "there may be a concern" or "there may be concerns". Correcting this phrase ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing, avoiding potential misinterpretations. Remember to use alternatives such as "there might be a problem" or "there could be an issue" to express similar ideas with better grammatical structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there may be a concern

Adds the article 'a' to make the phrase grammatically correct, indicating a single, specific concern.

there may be concerns

Changes 'concern' to its plural form 'concerns' to denote multiple worries or issues.

there might be a problem

Replaces "concern" with "problem", offering a more general term for an issue.

there could be an issue

Uses "issue" instead of "concern", suggesting a less severe or formal problem.

there may be apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension", indicating a sense of worry or unease.

there may be some worry

Uses the noun "worry" instead of "concern", softening the tone slightly.

there may be some unease

Replaces "concern" with "unease", suggesting a mild feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

concern might arise

Inverts the structure to emphasize the emergence of concern, rather than its mere existence.

worries may emerge

Uses 'worries' as the subject emphasizing the possibility of their emergence.

issues might surface

Employs "issues" and "surface" to convey the idea of problems becoming apparent.

FAQs

How do I correctly use the word "concern" after "may be"?

To use "concern" correctly after "may be", include a determiner (like 'a', 'the', 'some', 'any') or an adjective before "concern". For example, use "there may be a concern" or "there may be concerns".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "may be concern"?

Instead of "may be concern", you can use alternatives such as "there might be a problem", "there could be an issue", or "there may be apprehension", depending on the intended meaning and context.

Is "may be concern" grammatically correct?

No, "may be concern" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would include a determiner before "concern", such as in the phrase "there may be a concern", or use the plural form, as in "there may be concerns".

What's the difference between "may be concern" and "may be a concern"?

The phrase "may be concern" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article 'a' or another determiner before the noun "concern". The correct phrase "may be a concern" indicates a single, specific potential worry or issue.