palpable concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"palpable concern" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a feeling of worry or anxiety that is strongly felt and easily perceived. For example, "There was a palpable concern among the team about the project's future." Alternative expressions include "evident worry" and "tangible anxiety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The party establishment has expressed palpable concern with the trajectory of Mr. Perry, whose rapid ascent has leveled off.

The New York Times

Burke is charismatic and friendly, and her palpable concern for her patients disarms even the toughest cases.

The New Yorker

But the palpable concern on the state level may in time serve as a goad to national action.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, it is certain that, out of necessity no less than out of realism, a palpable concern for the advancement of human rights is here to stay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite palpable concern in the Pentagon, the growing threat has barely rated a mention in the presidential debate over military policy, probably since there are no obvious, eye-catching solutions.

The New York Times

While remembering the victims, Khan said there was already palpable concern among Muslim communities in the American south and elsewhere about the role the victims' religion may have played in their killing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

These were their real and palpable concerns – a profoundly anti-teleological world view, for ultimately markets go nowhere and those operating in them live the life of a hamster on a wheel".

The Guardian - Books

The uncertainty is palpable concerning the elections.

Forbes

Perhaps the most immediately palpable change concerns practices of university governance (for a university, this is where talking the talk turns into walking the walk).

Huffington Post

A few palpable measures concerning professional issues and limited work processes will promote quick results and a smooth transition to everyday routine.

BMC Health Services Research

But a few miles away in the Daphne neighborhood, where dozens of shops were shuttered, there was a more palpable sense of concern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "palpable concern" to emphasize that a feeling of worry or anxiety is not only present but also strongly felt and easily noticed by others. It adds a layer of intensity to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "palpable concern" to describe a feeling that is internal or hidden. "Palpable" implies that the concern is evident and easily perceived, so it should be used when the worry is outwardly visible or strongly suggested by external cues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "palpable concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "palpable" modifies the noun "concern". It describes a state of worry or anxiety that is easily perceived. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "palpable concern" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a readily apparent feeling of worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and notes that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and encyclopedic sources. While interchangeable with alternatives like "evident worry" or "noticeable anxiety", "palpable concern" carries a slightly stronger connotation of intensity. When using this phrase, ensure that the concern is, in fact, outwardly visible or strongly implied by external factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident worry

Replaces "palpable" with "evident", focusing on the clear visibility of the concern.

noticeable anxiety

Substitutes both words to highlight the anxiety aspect and its easy detection.

obvious apprehension

Uses more formal synonyms to convey a sense of unease that is readily apparent.

readily apparent worry

Emphasizes the ease with which the worry can be perceived.

discernible unease

Focuses on the ability to distinguish and recognize the feeling of unease.

tangible anxiety

Highlights the substantial and almost touchable quality of the anxiety.

perceptible disquiet

Uses "disquiet" for a more subtle form of concern that is still noticeable.

detectable worry

Focuses on the ability to identify the presence of worry.

plainly visible concern

Highlights the unambiguous visibility of the concern.

unmistakable apprehension

Stresses that the apprehension cannot be confused with any other feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "palpable concern" in a sentence?

You can use "palpable concern" to describe a situation where worry or anxiety is not only present but also easily noticeable. For example, "There was a "palpable concern" among the team about the project's future".

What's the difference between "palpable concern" and "obvious worry"?

"Palpable concern" suggests a stronger, almost tangible sense of anxiety that can be readily felt or perceived. "Obvious worry", on the other hand, simply means that the worry is easy to see. The former carries a greater emotional weight.

Are there any synonyms for "palpable concern" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "evident worry", "noticeable anxiety", or "obvious apprehension" depending on the context.

Is "palpable concern" formal or informal language?

The phrase "palpable concern" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's often found in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations.