signal of concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signal of concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a warning or indication that something may be wrong or needs attention. Example: "The sudden drop in sales is a signal of concern for the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Many analysts have interpreted the absence of those requests as a tacit signal of concern from those who could not vote last week.

The New York Times

Also, the use of pass filters to extract the signal of concern from the noisy data has been exhibited.

European Transport Research Review

The input signal of concern in this analysis is a pulsatile signal [85], which is a signal representation of a molecular flow with periodic variations.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

If discrepancies are more common in retracted studies than unretracted studies, they might represent an accessible signal of concern for readers.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

On Nov. 9 "Seussical" opens at the Richard Rodgers Theater, having run the gamut of gossip, from reports of early ecstasy to more recent signals of concern.

The New York Times

Prof Philippe Sands QC, who has appeared as an advocate before the ICC, said: "There are clear signals of concern about the future wellbeing of the ICC in relation to Africa.

The Guardian

We are now in the position of watching politicians and newscasters talk about disturbing issues — like, say, the state of our education system, or environmental degradation — yet they cannot muster signals of concern, much less dismay.

The New York Times

In this study, no new safety signals of concern were observed and the safety profiles of lisdexamfetamine and OROS-MPH were similar to the known effects of stimulant medications [ 26].

CNS Drugs

In this analysis of 19 randomized, placebo-controlled and active comparator-controlled clinical trials, no specific safety signals of concern were identified with the use of exenatide twice daily.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

A combined interim analysis on long-term safety in PRECiSE 3 and 4, available only in abstract form, showed no new safety signals of concern (Colombel et al. 2007d).

Core Evidence

One recent signal of investor concern comes in the flows of money in and out of domestic stock mutual funds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "signal of concern" when you want to subtly indicate a potential issue without causing undue alarm. It's suitable for professional and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "signal of concern" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "something to worry about" or "red flag" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signal of concern" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe something that indicates potential problems or requires attention. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe discrepancies in studies, investor behavior, and potential risks in medical treatments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "signal of concern" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that serves to indicate a warning or potential problem. Though its usage is relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms it's suitable for formal, scientific, and news contexts. As a noun phrase, it is often used to describe something requiring attention or further investigation. Alternatives such as "warning sign" or "red flag" may be more appropriate in informal settings. While the phrase is not overly common, it provides a measured and professional way to highlight potential issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warning sign

This alternative is more direct and explicitly indicates a potential problem.

red flag

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that implies immediate attention and caution is needed.

cause for alarm

This alternative emphasizes the potential danger or urgency of the situation.

reason for worry

This alternative focuses on the anxiety or apprehension associated with the situation.

matter of apprehension

This alternative is more formal and highlights the feeling of unease.

source of anxiety

This alternative pinpoints the origin or cause of the worry.

grounds for unease

This alternative suggests a justified feeling of discomfort or disquiet.

evidence of risk

This alternative highlights the potential for negative outcomes.

omen of trouble

This alternative suggests that something bad is likely to happen in the future.

portent of problems

Similar to the previous alternative, this implies a future likelihood of difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "signal of concern" to indicate a warning or indication that something may be wrong. For example: "The declining test scores are a "signal of concern" for the school board."

What are some alternatives to "signal of concern"?

You can use alternatives like "warning sign", "red flag", or "cause for alarm" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "signal of concern"?

The phrase "signal of concern" is appropriate in formal and professional settings, such as academic papers, business reports, or news articles. It's a relatively neutral way to indicate a potential problem.

Is "signal of concern" the same as "sign of concern"?

While similar, "signal of concern" often implies a more specific or discernible indication, whereas "sign of concern" can be a more general indication. They can often be used interchangeably, but the subtle difference in nuance should be considered.