significant cause for concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant cause for concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or situations that are troubling or alarming and warrant attention or action. Example: "The recent increase in pollution levels is a significant cause for concern among environmentalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"This is a significant cause for concern".

The New York Times

"With financial problems also endemic among hospitals, and staff morale a significant cause for concern, the situation is now critical".

The Guardian

Despite allowing reasonable discrimination, the FCC says that "pay for priority" would "raise significant cause for concern".

The Economist

Burnout not only leads to severe personal distress, but the implications on the effectiveness of aid organisations and programme delivery are a significant cause for concern.

The Guardian

Ashley Williams 7 Composed and controlled, as he has been all season – but anything less would have been significant cause for concern.

The Guardian - Sport

Steven Finn gave England significant cause for concern as he limped out of the attack with a thigh injury on a vexing first day of their India tour.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

For example there were reports that Kids Company accounts showed significant cause for financial concerns as early as 2010.

The Guardian

The project has serious green credentials, too: not only are the bikes an affordable, environmentally sound alternative to cars, but bamboo is fast-growing, produces up to 35% more oxygen than other trees and helps to prevent soil erosion, a significant cause of concern for farmers in Ghana.

The Guardian

And so, the homepage of the "Moscow Project" prominently declares: "Given Trump's obedience to Vladimir Putin and the deep ties between his advisers and the Kremlin, Russia's actions are a significant and ongoing cause for concern".

Huffington Post

The president specifically underscored the "killing of and violence against civilians, unrest, the incitement of imminent violence, and significant political repression," as cause for concern.

Vice

Large tensile strains, developed as a result of significant yielding in the wall, are a cause for concern since the stability of the wall depends on the magnitude of the tensile strain imposed on the wall.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant cause for concern", clearly state what is causing the concern. Providing context enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "significant cause for concern". Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives include: "major concern", "serious issue", or "alarming trend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant cause for concern" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something that warrants attention due to its potentially negative implications. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to introduce a subject that is worrying.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant cause for concern" is a commonly used phrase to express worry or alarm about a particular issue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it is advisable to clearly specify the subject of the concern to maximize clarity. Remember to consider varying your language to maintain reader engagement. While this phrase is widely used, it is important to ensure the expression reflects the degree of worry and suits the tone of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Major cause for worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry", suggesting a slightly less formal tone.

Serious cause for alarm

Substitutes "concern" with "alarm", implying a heightened sense of urgency.

Grave reason for anxiety

Uses "grave reason" to emphasize the seriousness of the concern, and "anxiety" to highlight the emotional impact.

Substantial reason for unease

Employs "substantial" to underscore the significance, and "unease" to denote a feeling of discomfort.

Considerable source of apprehension

Replaces "cause" with "source" and "concern" with "apprehension", both suggesting a more formal expression.

Legitimate basis for worry

Highlights the validity or justification for the worry.

Valid ground for concern

Emphasizes the justification for the concern.

Troubling development

Focuses on the problematic nature of an event or situation.

Worrisome situation

Describes a scenario that evokes worry or anxiety.

Alarming trend

Highlights a pattern that is causing alarm.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant cause for concern" to express worry about a particular situation or trend. For example, "The increasing levels of air pollution are a significant cause for concern."

What are some alternatives to "significant cause for concern"?

You can use alternatives like "major concern", "serious issue", or "alarming trend", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify the reason when using "significant cause for concern"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the reason enhances clarity. For instance, instead of just saying "This is a significant cause for concern", specify "This lack of funding is a significant cause for concern for the project's future."

Is "significant cause for concern" formal or informal?

The phrase "significant cause for concern" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. For more informal situations, consider using "major worry" or "big deal" in respective contexts.