perennial concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perennial concern" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an issue or problem that is ongoing or recurring. For example: - The rise in global temperatures is a perennial concern for environmentalists. - Security and safety measures are a perennial concern in large cities. - The gap between the rich and the poor is a perennial concern for social justice advocates. - Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a perennial concern for many employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Such differences are a perennial concern at Hallmark.

The New Yorker

But the pressure of expectations from home is a perennial concern.

The New Yorker

Rainfall is extremely unreliable, however, and food scarcity is a perennial concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

New old music is the perennial concern of this fine festival.

The New York Times - Arts

Cleverly, Mr Miliband picked on another subject that is of perennial concern to business folk, the skills gap.

The Economist

Karol Joswick, the assistant district manager of Community Board 12, described affordable housing as a perennial concern.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

For many Floridians, real estate has vaulted over other perennial concerns like public safety, immigration and health care.

The New York Times

Yet the perennial concerns remain: art and culture, and their trivialisation in a decadent age, and the knowledge of mortality.

The Guardian - Books

Without transformative power, and only occasionally arresting scenic effects, "Waiting for Tadashi" trumpets perennial concerns of identity and racism.

The New York Times

While health services, educational programs, and employment opportunities especially in rural counties remained perennial concerns, uncontrolled urban sprawl also emerged as a pressing issue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet it raises issues inspired by the perennial concerns of revolutionary leaders, such as peasant "class consciousness" and China's modernization.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perennial concern" to highlight issues that are not new and have a history of being problematic. It adds a sense of established importance to the issue.

Common error

While "perennial concern" is appropriate for long-standing issues, avoid using it for every problem. Reserve it for situations where the history and recurrence of the issue are significant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perennial concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object, to identify a continuous or recurring issue. As seen in Ludwig AI examples, it's frequently used to label problems within various fields, such as politics or education.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

26%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perennial concern" effectively communicates that an issue is not new and has a history of being problematic. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. While suitable for various situations, it's essential to reserve it for genuinely long-standing issues. Alternatives such as "recurring worry" or "persistent issue" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using "perennial concern" adds a sense of established importance to the issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurring worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", emphasizing the anxiety aspect.

persistent issue

Substitutes "concern" with "issue", framing it as a problem needing resolution.

ongoing problem

Replaces "perennial concern" with a more straightforward description of a continuous problem.

enduring question

Frames the concern as a question that remains relevant over time.

constant preoccupation

Highlights the absorbing nature of the concern, suggesting it occupies thoughts frequently.

long-standing anxiety

Emphasizes the duration and the emotional aspect of the concern.

chronic challenge

Portrays the concern as a continuous and difficult task.

regular source of anxiety

Highlights the concern as a repeating cause of worry.

ever-present consideration

Emphasizes the continuous need to think about and address the concern.

continual source of worry

Focuses on the aspect of continuous and repeating worry.

FAQs

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

You can use "perennial concern" to describe an issue that consistently arises and requires attention. For example, "Climate change is a "perennial concern" for environmental policymakers".

What are some alternatives to "perennial concern"?

Alternatives include "recurring worry", "persistent issue", or "ongoing problem" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "perennial concern" formal or informal?

"Perennial concern" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It's often found in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports.

What makes "perennial concern" different from "common problem"?

"Perennial concern" emphasizes the long-standing and recurring nature of the issue, while "common problem" simply indicates that something is widespread. The former highlights the history and persistence of the issue.