sign of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"sign of concern" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The doctor's furrowed brow was a sign of concern for the patient's condition".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The letters were the most recent sign of concern that regulators at both the state and federal level are becoming increasingly concerned about the accuracy and validity of tests being sold through the Internet.

The New York Times

Even Wapping is showing the odd sign of concern.

The Guardian

Yet there was no sign of concern among MetLife policyholders.

The New York Times

Manufacturers also cut back on stockpiles, a sign of concern about future demand.

The New York Times

G7 deputy finance ministers, meeting in Berlin, showed little sign of concern.

The Economist

One red dot was a sign of concern, and a pair of red dots indicated failure.

The New Yorker

His son Tyrone presided over events, showing little sign of concern as to his father's whereabouts.

Independent

Calm and upbeat, he showed no sign of concern at his apparent flagging popularity.

The Guardian

This remains a sign of concern that needs to be addressed by policy makers and studied by researchers.

Princeton University

The very fact that so much attention was paid to it is a clear sign of concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Subway stations and shops around the Parliament building were closed, in a sign of concern about possible violence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sign of concern", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is causing the concern. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "sign of concern" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "cause for alarm" or "major red flag". Understating the issue can diminish its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sign of concern" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something as an indicator or symptom that warrants attention or worry, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sign of concern" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that serves to indicate worry, apprehension, or caution about a specific situation. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using "sign of concern", it's essential to provide clear context about the cause of the concern. Alternatives include "indication of worry", "signal of anxiety", or "evidence of unease". While generally appropriate, be cautious not to understate the severity of a situation by using this phrase when a stronger term is warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indication of worry

Replaces 'concern' with 'worry', focusing on the feeling of unease.

signal of anxiety

Shifts the focus to 'anxiety', highlighting the emotional aspect of the worry.

evidence of unease

Emphasizes the 'unease' or discomfort that is apparent.

demonstration of apprehension

Highlights the 'apprehension' or fear of something that might happen.

suggestion of alarm

Focuses on the 'alarm' or sudden fear that is raised.

hint of disquiet

Emphasizes a subtle 'disquiet' or lack of peace.

omen of trouble

Indicates a 'trouble' or negative event that might be coming.

premonition of difficulty

Highlights a 'difficulty' or challenge that is anticipated.

warning sign

A more general term that indicates a potential problem.

cause for alarm

Highlights that this is indeed a reason to worry.

FAQs

How can I use "sign of concern" in a sentence?

You can use "sign of concern" to indicate worry or apprehension about a particular situation. For example, "The declining sales figures were a "sign of concern" for the company's future."

What can I say instead of "sign of concern"?

Alternatives to "sign of concern" include "indication of worry", "signal of anxiety", or "evidence of unease", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to see a "sign of concern"?

Yes, the expression generally indicates a negative development, potential problem, or reason for worry. It highlights that something is not going as expected or desired.

What is the difference between "sign of concern" and "cause for alarm"?

"Sign of concern" suggests a potential issue that warrants attention, while "cause for alarm" indicates a more immediate and serious threat. The latter implies a higher level of urgency and potential danger.