may be concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something could potentially cause worry or anxiety. Example: "The recent increase in cyber attacks may be concerning for our data security."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Having little wealth may be concerning, but having less and less wealth year to year is even more worrying.

The Guardian

The unspeakability of their pieces may be concerning for the National and the Bush because it is a common view on Broadway that the Adly Guirgis play underperformed box-office expectations for its New York run largely because it was so hard to publicise.

The Guardian

Whatever worries there may be concerning this part of Carnap's view, they are distinct from the more famous concerns raised by Quine.

SEP

The large degree of variability seen in the relative changes, as highlighted by the confidence intervals in Tables 4 and 5, may be concerning.

EJNMMI Physics

However, the hack does expose that Secret may have less than ideal security measures in place, which may be concerning to those spilling their guts or trash-talking on the service.

TechCrunch

BBC News also reports that Thor Mitchell, product manager of the Maps API at Google, said that Google is aware that these changes may be "concerning" to businesses who rely on Google Maps, but that they are necessary in order to "secure its long-term future by ensuring that even when used by the highest-volume for-profit sites, the service remains viable".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Some potential customers may be concerned about security.

The New York Times - Tech

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

She may be concerned that... bad news about Shell's Nigerian operations will leak out".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be concerning" when you want to express a possibility of worry or anxiety without making a definitive statement. This softens the assertion and allows for further evaluation.

Common error

Avoid using "may be concerning" when the situation clearly warrants stronger language. If the risks are evident and immediate, consider using phrases like "is alarming" or "poses a significant threat" to accurately reflect the severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be concerning" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a possibility or potential for something to cause worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to soften a statement, indicating that the situation warrants attention but isn't necessarily a definitive cause for alarm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be concerning" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a potential cause for worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news-related writing. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the strength of your statement and ensure it accurately reflects the level of concern. Consider alternatives such as "could be worrisome" or "might be alarming" to adjust the tone as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be worrisome

Replaces "may be" with "could be" and "concerning" with "worrisome", maintaining a similar level of concern.

might be alarming

Substitutes "may be" with "might be" and "concerning" with "alarming", intensifying the level of worry.

potentially problematic

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement about potential problems.

raises some concerns

Shifts the focus to the act of raising concerns rather than directly stating the potential for concern.

is a cause for concern

Presents the subject as a direct reason to be concerned, making it a stronger statement.

warrants attention

Indicates that something requires careful consideration due to potential negative consequences.

gives rise to apprehension

Uses more formal language to express the feeling of anxiety or unease.

presents a challenge

Frames the issue as a difficulty to overcome rather than a direct cause for worry.

is a matter of some anxiety

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety associated with the subject.

is not without its risks

Highlights the potential dangers associated with the subject, rather than directly expressing concern.

FAQs

How can I use "may be concerning" in a sentence?

You can use "may be concerning" to express that something could potentially cause worry or anxiety, such as: "The lack of progress on the project "may be concerning" to the stakeholders."

What are some alternatives to "may be concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "could be worrisome", "might be alarming", or "potentially problematic" depending on the specific context and the degree of concern you wish to convey.

Is "may be concern" grammatically correct?

No, "may be concern" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""may be concerning"", where "concerning" acts as an adjective describing the situation.

What's the difference between "may be concerning" and "is concerning"?

"May be concerning" suggests a possibility or potential for worry, while "is concerning" indicates a definite and present cause for concern. The former is less assertive than the latter.