personal concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"personal concern" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English, and it is often used in the context of an individual expressing a feeling of worry or apprehension about something.
For example: "I have a personal concern that the timeline for this project is too short."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But his weight remains a personal concern.

The Guardian

"I wasn't voicing a personal concern," Moufarrige drawled.

The New York Times

She keeps going, her personal concern muted by other discomforts.

The New York Times

For me, it's really just a note of personal concern.

The Guardian

Empathize Shows personal concern and sensitivity to others.

Harvard Business Review

"I have a passion, a personal concern for what to do with all this Christian art".

The New York Times - Arts

Their shared insight is that action begins with a personal concern.

The New York Times - Magazine

Carter's personal concern for black people was reinforced from an unexpected direction.

The New York Times - Books

Nick Thompson, hoping to sail for Team GB in the games, said: "Water quality is my biggest personal concern.

Independent

"I cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern and compassion for our state," Mr. Christie said.

The New York Times

Dangerous sidewalks have been a very personal concern of State Senator Guy J. Velella, a Bronx Republican.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal concern" to clearly indicate that a worry or interest is specific to an individual and not necessarily shared by others. This helps to clarify the scope and origin of the concern.

Common error

While "personal concern" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. In such contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "specific interest" or "individual anxiety" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, expressing a feeling of worry, interest, or apprehension that is specific to an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal concern" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that conveys an individual's worry, interest, or apprehension about a specific matter. As noted by Ludwig, it's a valid and frequently used expression. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide array of contexts, including news, science, and business communications. While highly versatile, more precise language might be required for increased clarity in highly formal or technical writing. When using "personal concern", ensure it accurately reflects the individual's perspective and is not misconstrued as a broader, shared sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private worry

This alternative emphasizes the personal and confidential nature of the concern.

specific worry

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the worry itself.

private apprehension

This emphasizes the personal and perhaps concealed nature of the worry.

individual anxiety

This highlights the anxiety experienced by a single person.

own apprehension

Focuses on one's own feeling of unease or fear about something.

personal disquiet

Highlights a feeling of unease or anxiety related to a personal matter.

particular interest

Implies a specific focus and attentiveness to a subject.

individual care

Emphasizes the care and attention given by an individual.

individual preoccupation

This suggests that the concern is constantly on someone's mind.

own solicitude

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes care and attentiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal concern" to express a worry or interest specific to an individual. For example: "My biggest "personal concern" is the rising cost of living."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "personal concern"?

Alternatives include "private worry", "individual anxiety", or "specific worry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "personal concern" formal or informal?

"Personal concern" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for a variety of contexts, from news articles to business communications. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "solicitude" or "apprehension".

What's the difference between "personal concern" and "professional concern"?

"Personal concern" relates to matters affecting an individual's well-being or interests, while "professional concern" pertains to issues within one's work or career. For example, a "personal concern" might be health-related, whereas a professional concern could be about job security.