passing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a worry or issue that is not significant or is only temporary in nature. Example: "While the budget cuts are a passing concern for the team, we are confident that we can adapt and continue to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The ordinary struggles of survival — food, sleep, sanitation — are of only passing concern.

The New York Times - Books

The possibility of making plutonium on this scale using 30-year old accelerator technology must surely be of more than passing concern for anybody worried about the spread of technology that could lead to nuclear proliferation.

MIT Technology Review

The Hebrew scriptures are pretty well convinced that the way God's people treat refugees and immigrants is of more than passing concern to the Almighty.

Huffington Post

The issue will be of only passing concern to most of Orange County, since the 24-watt station's signal can be picked up only within a few miles of the Irvine campus.

Los Angeles Times

This market has negligible interest in hockey and only a passing concern for baseball.

The Economist

Ministerial memos betrayed a passing concern – that Aamer too might launch litigation in the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

She spent four years working on "Divers," a work so lyrical and precisely rendered that Hollywood obligations and a Disney-esque mansion seem like passing concerns.

Los Angeles Times

After the health care law passed, concerns emerged immediately that a $5 billion appropriation would not be nearly enough to cover the hordes expected to enroll in a network of new insurance pools for people with pre-existing conditions.

The New York Times - Health

Mr Meirelles says it was simply its turn to be given a closer look; others speculate that an outsider spotted something odd while digging around during PanAmericano's recent share and bond sales, and passed concerns on.

The Economist

Lord Brittan passed concerns in it to the relevant authorities, but the file itself was not kept.

BBC

Shortly afterwards, the Home Office released a statement pointing to its 2013 report, which suggested Lord Brittan had, in fact, passed concerns raised by Mr Dickens to the relevant authorities.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passing concern", ensure the context clearly indicates that the issue is temporary or not of major importance. Avoid using it for critical or long-term problems.

Common error

Don't use "passing concern" to downplay serious problems. This can minimize the importance of the issue and be perceived as insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this is a grammatically sound phrase. It describes something that is a minor or temporary worry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing concern" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that indicates a temporary or minor worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples primarily found in News & Media. When writing with "passing concern", remember to ensure the context accurately reflects the insignificance of the issue. Alternatives like "fleeting worry" or "minor worry" can be used for variety. It's important not to misuse "passing concern" for serious problems, as this can diminish the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting worry

Emphasizes the brief duration of the concern.

minor worry

Highlights the insignificance of the concern.

trivial anxiety

Underscores the unimportance of the anxiety.

slight apprehension

Indicates a mild level of worry.

momentary unease

Focuses on the temporary nature of the discomfort.

transient worry

Highlights how the worry is short-lived.

brief concern

Stresses the limited duration of the concern.

superficial worry

Suggests the worry is not deep or profound.

incidental anxiety

Presents the anxiety as a side issue or consequence.

negligible worry

Emphasizes that the level of worry is so small as to be ignored.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing concern" to describe something that isn't very important or is only a temporary issue. For example, "While the budget cuts are a "passing concern" for the team, we are confident that we can adapt and continue to meet our goals."

What are some alternatives to "passing concern"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting worry", "minor worry", or "trivial anxiety" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "passing concern"?

It is appropriate to use "passing concern" when the issue is temporary and not of major importance. If the situation carries significant long-term implications, consider using a phrase that conveys more weight.

What is the difference between "passing concern" and "serious issue"?

"Passing concern" implies a temporary or insignificant worry, while "serious issue" denotes a problem of significant importance. The choice depends on the weight you want to give to the topic.