my concern was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my concern was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a worry or issue that you had in the past regarding a specific situation or topic. Example: "During the meeting, my concern was the lack of communication between departments, which could lead to misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's where my concern was.

The New York Times

As I said, my concern was larger than the reality.

Princeton University

"The building was given to us in a dilapidated state; my concern was to save it".

The New York Times

"My concern was in the book's tone and narrative," he told me.

The New Yorker

"My concern was, 'Would Londoners be over sports?' And I've been totally wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

"My concern was to take care of Jon Snow, and he's now deader than dead".

Independent

My concern was this was not entertainment coming in here today.

The New York Times - Sports

"My concern was they were being singled out," Wasserman Schultz told The Post.

The Washington Post

"It was a race between me and Mossad, so my concern was to publish immediately.

The Guardian

My concern was not so much the coming weather, but the current temperature.

The New York Times - Travel

That's where my concern was; because they're young, they don't understand.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my concern was" to clearly articulate a past worry or issue, ensuring the context makes it evident why this concern was relevant at the time. It's especially effective when explaining decisions or actions taken based on that concern.

Common error

Avoid using "my concern was" when expressing a current worry. This phrase is specifically for past anxieties. For present concerns, use "my concern is" or "I am concerned about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my concern was" functions as a declarative statement introducing a past worry, apprehension, or source of anxiety. Ludwig provides several examples that illustrate how the phrase is used to explain a past decision, action, or viewpoint. The AI also confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my concern was" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for articulating a past worry or apprehension. As noted by Ludwig, it functions declaratively, providing context or justification for past decisions. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, with a higher prevalence in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you're referencing a past concern and not a current one, for which "my concern is" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had concerns about

This alternative directly states having worries regarding something, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly more general tone.

My worry was

Replaces "concern" with "worry", which is a more emotional and personal expression of anxiety.

I was anxious about

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety related to a past event or situation.

My fear was

Highlights the element of fear involved in the concern, suggesting a stronger emotional response.

I foresaw problems with

Shifts the focus to predicting potential issues, implying a proactive rather than reactive concern.

I anticipated difficulties with

Similar to "foresaw problems", this emphasizes the anticipation of challenges.

The issue I had was

More directly frames the concern as a specific issue that needed addressing.

What bothered me was

Emphasizes personal annoyance or disturbance related to the concern.

I was apprehensive about

Indicates a feeling of unease or reluctance about something anticipated.

My reservation was

Highlights a hesitation or doubt, framing the concern as a specific reservation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "my concern was" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I had reservations about", "I expressed concern regarding", or "My apprehension stemmed from". These alternatives offer a more professional and less personal approach compared to "my concern was".

What's the difference between "my concern was" and "my concern is"?

"My concern was" refers to a past worry or issue, whereas "my concern is" expresses a current concern. Use "my concern was" when discussing something you were worried about in the past, and "my concern is" when talking about something you are currently worried about.

Is it correct to say "my concern is being"?

The phrase "my concern is being" is grammatically correct but can often be improved for clarity. Consider rephrasing to something like "my concern is that [something is happening]" for better readability and impact.

What are some alternatives to "my concern was" that avoid using the word "concern"?

You can use alternatives like "my worry was", "I feared", or "I was afraid that" to express a similar sentiment without repeating the word "concern". The best choice depends on the specific context.