real concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"real concern" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a genuine worry that something is wrong or will go wrong. For example, "My real concern is that our resources won't be enough to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a real concern".

The New York Times

"It's a real concern...

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There was some real concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Eviction was now a very real concern.

The New York Times

But the real concern lies ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

Bill Gates expressed real concern.

The Guardian

There's a real concern there.

The Guardian

Terrorism is a real concern.

The New York Times

It is a real concern".

The New York Times

"But that's a real concern.

The New York Times

Cannibalization is a real concern.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "real concern" to emphasize the genuineness and significance of a worry or problem, rather than a hypothetical or minor issue.

Common error

Avoid using "real concern" excessively in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can weaken its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "genuine worry" or "significant apprehension" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase denotes a genuine worry about something, as showcased in examples like, "It's a real concern" and "There's a real concern there."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "real concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes a genuine worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage spans across numerous contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, but also in academia and business settings. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various communication styles. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "genuine worry" or "serious apprehension" to add nuance to your writing. While widely accepted, overuse of "real concern" should be avoided to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "real" with "genuine", emphasizing the authenticity of the worry.

legitimate anxiety

Substitutes "concern" with "anxiety" and "real" with "legitimate", highlighting the validity of the anxiety.

serious apprehension

Replaces "concern" with "apprehension" and "real" with "serious", increasing the formality and intensity of the phrase.

significant worry

Emphasizes the importance of the worry, replacing "real" with "significant".

true cause for alarm

Highlights that the concern is a valid reason to be alarmed, using stronger language.

substantial misgiving

Replaces "concern" with "misgiving" and "real" with "substantial", indicating a significant feeling of doubt or unease.

valid preoccupation

Substitutes "concern" with "preoccupation" and "real" with "valid", focusing on the legitimacy of being preoccupied.

major source of anxiety

Emphasizes the anxiety caused by something, indicating it is a significant cause.

chief source of worry

Focuses on the primary cause of worry, indicating it is the main reason for concern.

primary fear

Simplifies the phrase to its core element: fear, emphasizing the main source of fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "real concern" to highlight a significant worry. For example: "There is "real concern" about the protesters."

What are some alternatives to using "real concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "genuine worry", "legitimate anxiety", or "serious apprehension".

Is it redundant to say "very real concern"?

While grammatically correct, "very real concern" can sound redundant. Consider using stronger synonyms for "concern" or relying on "real concern" to convey sufficient emphasis. However, when modifying the expression it is acceptable: brain damage is a "very real concern".

What's the difference between "real concern" and "potential concern"?

"Real concern" indicates an existing worry based on current evidence, while "potential concern" suggests a possible worry about something that may happen in the future.