of significant concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of significant concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is important or troubling enough to warrant attention or action. Example: "The recent rise in cyberattacks is of significant concern to our security team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One area of significant concern is custody.

Columbia University

Inpatient falls are of significant concern.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing

DPR also classifies pesticides of significant concern as restricted materials.

Harvard University

"There is some debris outside the church that is of significant concern".

The New York Times

A blogger in Tehran said recent news was of significant concern to the country's online community.

The Guardian

"None of our members felt that [terrorism] was an area of significant concern," says Broomhead.

The Guardian

Zoonotic diseases continue to be of significant concern for public health.

Britannica

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office's own assessment of Uzbekistan's human rights record is that it remains a matter of significant concern.

The Guardian

"They've made some progress," Mr. Donovan said, "But the condition of the buildings is still of significant concern to us".

The New York Times

Although downside risks to growth remain, the upside risks to inflation are also of significant concern to the committee.

The New York Times

The downside risks to growth and the upside risks to inflation are both of significant concern to the Committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of significant concern", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern and why it matters. For example, "The lack of funding is of significant concern because it directly impacts our ability to provide essential services."

Common error

Avoid using "of significant concern" as a standalone statement. Always clarify the subject and the reason for the concern to ensure clarity and impact. Instead of just stating "Climate change is of significant concern", elaborate on what aspects of climate change are concerning and their potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of significant concern" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, that describes a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is important or troubling enough to warrant attention or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of significant concern" is a widely used expression to denote issues that require attention due to their potential impact or risk. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing. It functions as a modifier, highlighting the importance of a particular subject. While frequently used in science and news media, it also appears in business and formal contexts. Therefore, ensure clear context to effectively convey the reason for the concern. Remember to avoid overuse without proper elaboration and consider related phrases like "of considerable worry" or "a serious matter of concern" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of considerable worry

Replaces "significant" with "considerable", emphasizing the magnitude of the worry.

a serious matter of concern

Adds the adjective "serious" to emphasize the gravity of the concern.

reason for significant worry

Rearranges the phrase to focus on the reason behind the concern.

a major cause for alarm

Uses a noun phrase to convey strong concern, highlighting the alarming nature of the issue.

of substantial import

Uses a more formal and emphatic term, "import", to stress the significance.

a noteworthy area of apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension", highlighting anxiety or fear.

of great importance

Shifts the focus to importance rather than concern, while still implying the need for attention.

a pressing issue

Focuses on the urgency and importance of the matter at hand.

cause for heightened awareness

Emphasizes the need for increased attention and vigilance.

an important consideration

Presents the issue as something that must be carefully thought about.

FAQs

How can I use "of significant concern" in a sentence?

Use "of significant concern" to highlight something that warrants attention or action due to its importance or potential negative impact. For example, "Data privacy is "of significant concern" to our customers."

What are some alternatives to saying "of significant concern"?

You can use phrases like "of great concern", "major concern", or "serious matter" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it better to say "of significant concern" or "a significant concern"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Of significant concern" emphasizes the state or quality of being concerning, while "a significant concern" refers to a specific issue that causes worry. For example, "Pollution is of significant concern" versus "Pollution is a significant concern."

What makes something "of significant concern"?

Something becomes ""of significant concern"" when it poses a substantial risk, has important implications, or requires immediate attention. The significance is often tied to potential negative outcomes or impacts.