public concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"public concern" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an issue that is seen as of importance to a large group of people. For example, "Climate change has become a major public concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More public concern and scrutiny.

The New York Times

Polls show rising public concern.

The New York Times

Falsework-related problems have increasingly become a major public concern.

Structural Safety

It's a result of some public concern".

The Guardian

Public concern about food safety is high.

The Guardian

Hamilton Fish, President Public Concern Foundation.

The New York Times

Public concern was still very much there.

The Guardian

All these ills warrant passionate public concern.

The New York Times

Public concern jumped in opinion polls.

The New York Times

Ambulance crashes have become an increasing source of public concern.

Prehospital Emergency Care

Underage drinking among American youth is a growing public concern.

Social Science Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "public concern", specify the subject of the concern to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "There is public concern", say "There is public concern about climate change".

Common error

Avoid generalizing "public concern" without evidence. Ensure the concern is genuinely widespread and not limited to a small group. Data from polls or surveys can add credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a state of worry or interest shared by a considerable number of people. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "public concern" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe worry, anxiety, or interest shared by the general population about a specific issue. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its frequent use across various domains, particularly in news and media, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject of the concern is clearly defined and that the extent of the concern is accurately represented. Using alternatives such as "popular apprehension" or "widespread anxiety" can provide nuanced expressions of the same core concept. The phrase serves to emphasize the societal importance of the issue and often prompts further discussion or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

popular apprehension

Replaces "concern" with "apprehension", emphasizing a sense of worry or fear shared by the public.

widespread anxiety

Substitutes "concern" with "anxiety", highlighting the element of unease felt broadly within the population.

general disquiet

Uses "disquiet" instead of "concern", suggesting a feeling of disturbance or restlessness among the public.

common worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", focusing on the shared nature of the public's anxieties.

societal unease

Emphasizes the societal aspect of the unease, suggesting a broad sense of discomfort.

mass consternation

Uses "consternation" to convey a stronger sense of alarm or dismay among the public.

national alarm

Highlights a state of alarm on a national scale regarding a particular issue.

prevailing sentiment

Focuses on the dominant feeling or opinion held by the public.

collective fear

Directly addresses the presence of shared fear within the public sphere.

community anxieties

Specifically refers to the anxieties felt within a community setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "public concern" to indicate worry or interest from the general population about a specific issue. For example, "The new policy has raised "public concern" regarding privacy".

What's a more formal way to say "public concern"?

More formal alternatives include "popular apprehension", "widespread anxiety", or "general disquiet", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "public concern" the same as "public opinion"?

"Public concern" implies worry or unease about something, while "public opinion" refers to the collective attitudes or beliefs of the public about a topic. Although related, they are not interchangeable.

What issues typically generate "public concern"?

Issues that impact a large number of people, such as environmental issues, health crises, economic instability, and social justice issues, frequently generate "public concern".