provoke concerns

USAGE SUMMARY

"provoke concerns" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that causes people to be worried or concerned. For example, "The rapid spread of the virus has provoked concerns about a second wave of infections."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

First, we have excluded 75/603 (12.4%) files, which seems high and may provoke concerns regarding biased data.

BioMed Research International

Despite the high sensitivity and no limitation in tissue penetration of signal, radio-labeled nanoparticles still provoke concerns of their in vivo (long-term) integrity (or stability).

ACS Nano

However, aspects of the two trials provoke concerns about comparing them with the original study by Rivers and colleagues [ 4], including population severity, administration of fluids prior to randomization, and the overall mortality rate.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What has been going on in North Korea and East Asia that might provoke concern for the United States?

The New York Times

The emphasis on health in this year's Budget is bound to provoke concern about the impact on investment in housing.

The Guardian

In normal times, when an active four-star general implies in public that the Army is under such strain that it might flounder if an unexpected war broke out, or might require a draft to muster adequate troop levels, he could expect to provoke concern and comment from, say, the President of the United States.

The New Yorker

The idea is likely to provoke concern over the capacity of country's state school sector, as well as criticism at the policy's contradiction with the government's recent imposition of a cap on education visas as part of a drive to bring down net migration.

Independent

Abdominal pain after ERCP is common, and although it is frequently nonspecific and self-limited, it may provoke concern for complications and thus distress both patients and physicians.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The implication of this repeated refrain is that, because the numbers being discussed are so small, the genetic material to which they refer is unimportant and insufficient to provoke concern.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Overall, these 3 studies found that EX was beneficial and did not impair immune system recovery in any way that could provoke concern for health.

BMC Cancer

The radio onslaught provoked concerns for the health and  safety of both diplomats and spies.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke concerns" when you want to emphasize that something actively causes worry or apprehension. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and conveys a sense of direct causation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "provoke concerns" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "raise questions" or "cause worries" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke concerns" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. The verb "provoke" indicates the action of causing something, and "concerns" refers to feelings of worry or unease.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoke concerns" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations that actively cause worry or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not the most common expression, it is suitable for formal and professional contexts. Alternatives such as "raise concerns" or "spark worries" may be more appropriate for informal settings. The phrase is frequently seen in science and news contexts. Remember to use "provoke concerns" when you want to emphasize a direct cause-and-effect relationship between an action and the resulting anxieties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise concerns

This alternative uses a more common verb, "raise", instead of "provoke", to express the action of causing concerns.

spark worries

This option uses the verb "spark", implying a sudden and noticeable emergence of worries.

generate anxieties

This alternative uses the noun "anxieties" instead of "concerns", suggesting a higher level of unease.

prompt apprehensions

This phrase utilizes a more formal tone with "prompt" and "apprehensions", indicating a sense of foreboding.

instill unease

This alternative focuses on the feeling of unease that is created, rather than the concerns themselves.

arouse suspicions

This phrase shifts the focus slightly to the creation of doubt or suspicion.

foster misgivings

This option uses "foster" to suggest a gradual development of misgivings or doubts.

give rise to fears

This alternative directly addresses the creation of fears as a consequence.

create disquiet

This phrase uses the noun "disquiet" to describe a state of worry or anxiety.

invite skepticism

This alternative emphasizes the elicitation of doubt or disbelief.

FAQs

What does "provoke concerns" mean?

"Provoke concerns" means to cause feelings of worry, anxiety, or unease about something. It implies that a specific action, event, or situation has led to these concerns.

How can I use "provoke concerns" in a sentence?

You can use "provoke concerns" to describe how certain actions or events may cause worry, for example: "The company's new policy changes "provoke concerns" among employees."

What are some alternatives to "provoke concerns"?

Alternatives include "raise concerns", "spark worries", or "generate anxieties". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "provoke concerns" formal or informal language?

"Provoke concerns" is generally considered more formal. In informal situations, you might opt for a simpler phrase like "cause worries" or "bring up questions".