serious concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a concern that requires serious attention or consideration. For example, "It is a matter of serious concern that the quality of education has been deteriorating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a serious concern.

The Economist

That is a serious concern".

The Guardian

That's a serious concern".

The New York Times

Russia expressed "serious concern".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, wages are a serious concern.

The Economist

Airliner hijacking had become a serious concern.

The New York Times

Team health remains a serious concern.

The New York Times - Sports

"And that is a serious concern.

The New York Times - Arts

Tip wear is a serious concern.

Acta Materialia

That's a very serious concern.

The Guardian

Another, more serious, concern was political.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "serious concern", clearly state the object of the concern to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There is a serious concern", specify "There is a "serious concern" about the budget deficit."

Common error

While appropriate, avoid overuse in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "significant issue" or "major consideration" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as a noteworthy issue that requires attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious concern" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express worry or apprehension about significant issues. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "grave worry" or "significant apprehension" exist, it is essential to maintain clarity and avoid overuse. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly identify the object of the concern for maximum impact and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "serious" with "grave", emphasizing the depth of the worry.

significant apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with the more formal "apprehension" and "serious" with "significant", indicating a notable degree of unease.

profound anxiety

Replaces "concern" with "anxiety" and "serious" with "profound", highlighting deep-seated worry.

deep unease

Uses "unease" instead of "concern" and "deep" instead of "serious" to convey a strong feeling of discomfort.

major source of anxiety

Rephrases the concern as a "source of anxiety", adding a focus on the cause of worry.

reason for alarm

Highlights the issue as something that should cause alarm, increasing the urgency.

cause for worry

Focuses on the aspect of worry generated from the event or situation.

matter of great importance

Shifts the focus to the importance of the issue, rather than the concern itself.

pressing issue

Highlights the urgency and importance of the matter.

urgent matter

Emphasizes the need for immediate attention and action.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious concern" to express worry about something important. For example: "Climate change is a "serious concern" for many scientists", or "The lack of funding is a "serious concern" for the project's future".

What are some alternatives to saying "serious concern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "grave worry", "significant apprehension", or "deep unease" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it always necessary to quantify the degree of concern?

While not always necessary, specifying the degree (e.g., "serious", "growing", "primary") can add emphasis and clarity, especially when the concern is significant. Consider the impact you want to achieve with your statement.

What makes something rise to the level of being a "serious concern"?

A matter becomes a "serious concern" when it poses a significant risk or potential negative impact. It often involves issues of safety, finance, ethics, or well-being that demand attention and action.