sheer concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or intense feeling of worry or anxiety about something. Example: "Her decision to intervene was driven by sheer concern for the well-being of her friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Kohlberg claimed that the highest stage of such development involves a concern for justice and human rights based on universal principles, and he relegated sheer concern for relationships and for individual human well-being to lower stages of the process.

SEP

My sense is that Muslims are still trying to come to grips with new political realities, while some have requested that activists accompany them on morning subway commutes out of sheer concern for personal safety.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sheer fear, sheer terror.

Independent

Sometimes the cultural constraints of guanxi may dominate while sometimes it only shows sheer instrumental concerns; what is worse, we hardly know the reason why this occurs.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

I got to know dozens of them during my time on the island and was moved by their kindness, sheer determination, and concern for one another.

Huffington Post

Besides security concerns, sheer logistics make it impossible for many tourist itineraries to proceed effectively.

The New York Times - Travel

Second, as far as their sheer appearance is concerned, there are no significant differences between the two sorts of boxes.

The New York Times

Out of expedience, paternalism, promotional value or sheer ambition, these concerns found it useful to aggregate some portion of their labour pool at a single, highly ordered site – the better to ensure that employees' energies were properly directed toward the bottom line.

The Guardian

As far as sheer numbers are concerned, PS4 and Xbox One are probably close to being there, if they haven't arrived already.

Vice

But as soon as they get a whiff of unfairness, they turn violently against it.The second concern is sheer bigness.

The Economist

Even when their teenagers seem to have no inclination toward computer mischief, parents have another concern: the sheer amount of time the children spend online.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer concern" to emphasize the intensity or unadulterated nature of worry or anxiety. It's particularly effective when highlighting a primary motivation or reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer" excessively in your writing. While it can add emphasis, overusing it can weaken its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Consider synonyms like "genuine" or "intense" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sheer" acts as an adjective intensifying the noun "concern". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It denotes a strong, unadulterated feeling of worry or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer concern" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes a strong or unadulterated feeling of worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, commonly appearing in news media and business publications. While not exceptionally frequent, it serves a specific purpose of highlighting the intensity or primary motivation behind an action or feeling. Related phrases include "genuine worry" and "deep anxiety", offering alternative ways to express similar sentiments. Remember to avoid overusing "sheer" in your writing to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine worry

Emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the concern.

deep anxiety

Highlights the profound and unsettling nature of the concern.

utmost apprehension

Focuses on a high degree of fear or dread.

complete solicitude

Indicates a thorough and caring concern for others.

intense unease

Emphasizes the strong feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

real disquiet

Highlights a genuine sense of worry and disturbance.

extreme anxiety

Focuses on the heightened level of worry or nervousness.

profound worry

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the concern.

unmitigated fear

Highlights a fear that is not lessened or softened.

pure consternation

Indicates a state of bewilderment and anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "sheer concern" to describe a strong feeling of worry or anxiety, such as, "Her decision to intervene was driven by "sheer concern" for the well-being of her friend."

What phrases are similar to "sheer concern"?

Alternatives to "sheer concern" include "genuine worry", "deep anxiety", or "utmost apprehension" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "sheer concern" or "great concern"?

"Sheer concern" emphasizes the intensity or purity of the concern, while "great concern" simply indicates a high level of worry. The best choice depends on the specific context. If you want to emphasize the unadulterated nature of the worry, use "sheer concern".

Can "sheer concern" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "sheer concern" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express a strong feeling of worry or anxiety. Just ensure the context aligns with the level of formality.