serious cause for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious cause for concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or situation that raises significant worry or alarm. Example: "The recent spike in crime rates in the neighborhood is a serious cause for concern among residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For other progressive Catholics, there was serious cause for concern.

The New York Times

I don't think there's a really serious cause for concern here".

The Guardian - Business

And for Marshall, his own results are a serious cause for concern.

Nature

Certainly, France's high suicide rate is a serious cause for concern.

The Economist

However our parliamentary visits to France, Germany, Ireland and Holland last year gave serious cause for concern about European antisemitism.

The Guardian - Opinion

The increasing numbers of immigrants we are seeing are of course a legitimate and serious cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The discrepancy highlights a serious cause for concern regarding the sales of cobalt metal during this period," the auditors stated.

The New York Times

"At this stage though, only the pace of house price rises in London is really a serious cause for concern".

The Guardian - Money

But his career-long fondness for right-wing nationalist statements and gestures is serious cause for concern.

The New York Times

The form of Luke Wright, who went in at three and was out first ball, is a serious cause for concern.

The Guardian - Sport

An unrelated man joining a single-parent family where there are child protection issues would be a serious cause for concern.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious cause for concern", ensure that the severity of the situation warrants the strong wording. Overusing it can diminish its impact, so reserve it for truly worrisome issues.

Common error

Avoid using "serious cause for concern" for minor issues or inconveniences. Using it inappropriately dilutes its impact and can make your writing seem melodramatic. Save it for situations that genuinely warrant significant worry or alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious cause for concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific issue or situation that warrants significant attention and worry. Ludwig's examples show it's used when something poses a potential threat or negative consequence. The grammatical structure is straightforward, making it easily integrable into various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious cause for concern" is a commonly used phrase to highlight situations that warrant significant worry and attention. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various authoritative sources, including news media, scientific publications, and formal business documents. When using this phrase, it's important to reserve it for situations that genuinely merit a high level of concern to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives include "grave cause for concern" or "major reason for concern", depending on the specific nuance desired. It is not well suited to informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave cause for concern

Emphasizes the severity or critical nature of the concern.

major reason for concern

Highlights the significance of the reason prompting the concern.

significant cause for worry

Uses 'worry' instead of 'concern', softening the tone slightly while maintaining the importance of the issue.

legitimate reason to worry

Indicates there is a valid or justifiable reason to be concerned.

genuine cause for apprehension

Replaces 'concern' with 'apprehension', adding a slightly more formal tone.

alarming reason for unease

Highlights the startling or disturbing nature of the cause.

substantial cause for anxiety

Substitutes 'concern' with 'anxiety', emphasizing the emotional impact.

valid reason for disquiet

Uses 'disquiet' to express a state of unease or worry.

urgent cause for alarm

Stresses the need for immediate attention due to the alarming nature of the situation.

pressing reason for unease

Indicates the concern is current and demands immediate consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "serious cause for concern" in a sentence?

Use "serious cause for concern" to highlight issues that warrant considerable attention and worry. For example, "The rising unemployment rate is a serious cause for concern for policymakers".

What phrases are similar to "serious cause for concern"?

Alternatives include "grave cause for concern", "major reason for concern", or "significant cause for worry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "serious cause for concern" formal or informal?

The phrase "serious cause for concern" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It appears frequently in news reports, academic papers, and business communications.

What makes something a "serious cause for concern" rather than just a "cause for concern"?

The addition of "serious" emphasizes the severity and potential impact of the issue. A "serious cause for concern" implies that the situation requires immediate and focused attention due to its potential consequences.