question of public concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "question of public concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions related to issues that affect the public or are of interest to the community at large. Example: "The recent policy changes have sparked a significant question of public concern regarding their impact on local communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is therefore a question of public concern, and research should be performed in independent institutions supported by public money.

Archives of Toxicology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In Maynard's view, these projects aren't adequately organized around questions of public concern.

Environmental Health Perspectives

That is because the First Amendment's protections are greatest when the speech in question touches on matters of public concern.

Huffington Post

So I return to my question: is this the way inquiries on matters of public concern should in future be conducted?

The Guardian

He said the final question would be considered in more depth than at most inquests because of public concern about the crash.

Independent

This is not a question that any of the politicians have focused on but I think it's an important and legitimate issue of public concern," he said.

The Guardian - Business

The question then is whether the Police Department can punish these officers for their off-duty private speech on a matter of public concern without violating the constitution.

Huffington Post

Ambulance crashes have become an increasing source of public concern.

Prehospital Emergency Care

The nuclear issue, meanwhile, remains the subject of public concern.

BBC

These are "matters of public concern...

Los Angeles Times

When is a nude photo a "matter of public concern"?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "question of public concern", ensure the context clearly establishes why the issue is relevant and impactful to the general public. Provide specific examples or data to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "question of public concern" for issues that are only relevant to a small group or lack broader societal impact. Make sure your claim of public concern is justified and not exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question of public concern" functions as a noun phrase, identifying an issue or inquiry that is significant to the general population. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "question of public concern" effectively identifies issues relevant to the general public. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the issue truly affects a broad audience and avoid exaggeration. Related phrases such as "matter of public interest" and "issue of public importance" offer similar meanings, with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter of public interest

Replaces "question" with "matter", shifting the focus slightly from inquiry to general consideration.

issue of public importance

Substitutes "question" with "issue" and "concern" with "importance", emphasizing the significance of the matter.

matter of general public interest

Highlights that the public as a whole is interested in a particular subject or situation.

topic of public debate

Replaces "concern" with "debate", highlighting the aspect of public discussion and disagreement.

concern of public significance

Underlines the importance and noteworthiness of the public's worry or interest.

subject of widespread public attention

Emphasizes the broad attention the question receives from the public.

issue attracting public scrutiny

Focuses on the detailed and critical observation by the public.

publicly debated question

Emphasizes that the question is under public discussion.

public interest matter

Shortened version, placing emphasis on public interest.

area of public apprehension

Highlights the potential anxiety or fear the public might feel.

FAQs

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

You can use "question of public concern" to introduce a topic that is important to the general public. For example, "The safety of the new vaccine is a major "matter of public interest"."

What phrases are similar to "question of public concern"?

Similar phrases include "matter of public interest", "issue of public importance", and "topic of public debate". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "question of public concern"?

It's appropriate when discussing issues that genuinely affect the well-being, rights, or interests of a significant portion of the population. Make sure there is sufficient public awareness or potential impact to warrant the description.

Is "question of public concern" formal or informal?

"Question of public concern" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for use in news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. A more informal alternative could be "something people are worried about."