really concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of worry or unease about a particular situation or issue. Example: "The recent rise in pollution levels is really concerning for the health of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

This is really concerning".

The Guardian

"What's really concerning is the Thai government has changed the rules halfway through the game and virtually overnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And that is really concerning, post-Leveson inquiry, that this is the kind of response we are getting.

The Guardian

So if you define "dehydration" as a urine osmolality of 800 mOsm/kg or higher, the findings of this study are really concerning.

The New York Times

For me, the really concerning aspect of this is that now, more than at any time in our history, our species needs to work together.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chaired by Maria Miller, the committee finds the "widespread sexual harassment on a regular basis" of young women a "really concerning problem".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

What really concerns voters?

The Economist

That really concerns me".

The New York Times

"I'm really concerned".

The New York Times

People were really concerned".

The New Yorker

It really concerns me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really concerning" when you want to express a strong sense of worry about a situation without being overly dramatic. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "really" excessively in your writing, as it can weaken your message. Consider using stronger adjectives or adverbs to convey the same level of concern. For example, instead of "really concerning", you could use "deeply troubling" or "extremely worrisome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really concerning" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a heightened degree of worry or unease about a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really concerning" is a common way to express worry or unease, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically sound and versatile, it fits comfortably in both neutral and slightly formal contexts. While highly frequent in News & Media, it's best to avoid overuse and consider stronger synonyms for more formal settings. Remember to prioritize clarity and precision, ensuring your message resonates with genuine concern rather than diluted emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely worrying

Replaces "concerning" with "worrying" and "really" with "genuinely", changing the specific words used to express concern.

truly alarming

Substitutes both words to create a more dramatic expression of worry.

deeply troubling

Emphasizes the depth of concern using "deeply" instead of "really".

extremely disturbing

Shifts the focus to the disturbing nature of the issue, amplifying the negative connotation.

exceptionally worrisome

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a heightened sense of concern.

a major cause for concern

Changes the structure to emphasize the thing causing the concern, instead of expressing the feeling directly.

raises serious concerns

Presents the concern as an action, highlighting its importance.

is a grave matter

Indicates that the issue is serious and needs immediate attention.

gives cause for alarm

Suggests the situation justifies a level of alert or fear.

is a red flag

Uses an idiom to indicate something that should immediately grab your attention with negativity or dangerous implication.

FAQs

How can I use "really concerning" in a sentence?

"Really concerning" is used to express a significant level of worry or unease. For example: "The lack of progress on climate change is really concerning." You can replace it with alternatives to add nuance.

What are some alternatives to "really concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply troubling", "extremely worrisome", or "genuinely worrying" depending on the context.

Is "really concerning" too informal for formal writing?

While "really concerning" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using stronger or more precise language such as "profoundly alarming" or "gravely disturbing" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Which is correct: "really concerning" or "real concerning"?

"Really concerning" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Real concerning" is not standard English.