private concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a matter or issue that is personal and not meant to be shared publicly. Example: "The decision to move to another city is a private concern that I need to discuss with my family first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's more, the Tenaha case wasn't against a private concern.

The New Yorker

"In any private concern, you're out on your butt!

The New Yorker

His private concern was not the point of his statement.

The New Yorker

Why she did so is a private concern.

The New York Times

If Catholic parents complained, officials told them that their Roman dogma was their own private concern.

The New York Times

Among its recommendations was that the involvement of a private concern like Edison was warranted.

The New York Times

He also rejected suggestions that faith should be seen as a purely private concern.

The Guardian

"Let welfare be a private concern".—"The Conscience of a Conservative," 1961.

The New York Times

It arises out of the sculptor's private concern with form and imagery, and he works primarily to satisfy himself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, Connick explicitly limited its distinction between public and private concern to the "context" of a government employment situation.

Cornell University

1684, 75 L.Ed.2d 708 (1983), a test for distinguishing matters of public concern from matters of private concern.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "private concern", ensure the context clearly indicates whose privacy is being referred to. It's often helpful to specify the individual or group for clarity.

Common error

While acceptable, "private concern" can sometimes sound vague or evasive in formal writing. Instead of broadly stating something is a "private concern", consider providing a more specific reason for non-disclosure, such as confidentiality agreements or data protection policies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It identifies something considered personal and not meant for public dissemination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "private concern" is a common noun phrase indicating a matter considered personal and not for public dissemination. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While grammatically correct and frequently used, its appropriateness depends on the context; more specific terms may be preferable in formal settings. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Academic sources. When you use "private concern", ensure you are clear about whose privacy you are referring to, and consider if a more precise term would be more appropriate for the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private matter

Simple variation of "private concern" with identical meaning.

personal matter

Focuses on the individual and the confidential nature of the subject.

individual issue

Highlights the issue's relevance to a specific person.

private problem

Synonymous, focusing on the challenging aspect of the concern.

private affair

Implies a personal matter best kept secret or within a small group.

personal business

Suggests a matter requiring discretion and individual attention.

confidential matter

Emphasizes the need for secrecy and restricted access.

secret matter

Stresses the hidden nature of the concern.

personal trouble

Highlights the problematic or difficult nature of the concern.

sole responsibility

Emphasizes that the onus of dealing with the situation lies with one person.

FAQs

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

You can use "private concern" to indicate that something is a personal matter. For example, "Why she left her first marriage is a "private concern"."

What are some alternatives to "private concern"?

Alternatives to "private concern" include "personal matter", "individual issue", or "confidential matter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "private concern" in formal writing?

While "private concern" is generally acceptable, more specific terms like "confidential information" or "proprietary data" may be more suitable in formal or business contexts.

What's the difference between "private concern" and "public concern"?

"Private concern" refers to something that affects an individual or a small group, while "public concern" relates to issues that affect the broader community or society.