significant concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"significant concern" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a major worry or issue that is causing significant unease or anxiety. You can use this phrase in various contexts, such as: 1. The rise in pollution levels is a significant concern for environmentalists. 2. The safety of the new technology is a significant concern for consumers. 3. The ongoing pandemic has raised significant concerns about the state of our healthcare system. 4. The lack of affordable housing is a significant concern for many low-income families. 5. The team's poor performance is a significant concern for the coach and management.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That caused Bromberg significant concern.

The Guardian

And that raises another significant concern.

The New York Times

But he called escapes "a significant concern".

The New York Times

"It will cause the market significant concern".

The New York Times

"That's a significant concern," Zahn said.

The Guardian

But the violence was not the observers' only significant concern.

The New York Times

"[Ice] is a significant concern on the national scale, and a significant concern on the territory scale," said Giles.

The Guardian

He also said the possibility of violence by the Indians was a significant concern.

The New York Times

"There is some debris outside the church that is of significant concern".

The New York Times

This is seen as a significant concern during a response crisis".

The Guardian

Other experts agreed that rules concerning lawyers are a significant concern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "significant concern" to clearly articulate issues that warrant immediate attention or require careful consideration due to their potential impact.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase "significant concern". Vary your language by using alternatives like "major worry", "key issue", or "serious concern" to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant concern" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "significant" modifies the noun "concern". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, identifying a particular worry or issue, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant concern" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to highlight important worries or issues. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as a noun phrase that emphasizes the seriousness of a subject, suitable for neutral registers such as news and academic contexts. Ludwig's analysis reveals that "significant concern" appears frequently in news and media and science, signaling the importance of the topic being discussed. When writing, consider using the phrase to clearly articulate important issues, but avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "serious concern" or "major worry" to maintain reader engagement. Overall, "significant concern" is a versatile phrase for expressing noteworthy anxieties across various formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious concern

Highlights the gravity or severity of the concern.

major worry

Focuses more directly on the emotional aspect of being worried.

grave worry

Emphasizes the deep and profound nature of the worry.

chief anxiety

Highlights the most significant source of unease.

substantial anxiety

Highlights the considerable amount of anxiety present.

primary apprehension

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety and its ranking in importance.

principal misgiving

Suggests a feeling of doubt or reservation that is of utmost importance.

paramount consideration

Shifts the focus to something needing careful thought due to its importance.

critical matter

Underscores the urgency and importance of the subject at hand.

key issue

Reframes the concern as a central problem needing resolution.

FAQs

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

The phrase "significant concern" is used to highlight a noteworthy worry or issue. For example, "The safety of the new bridge is a "significant concern" for residents".

What phrases are similar to "significant concern"?

Alternatives to "significant concern" include "serious concern", "major worry", or "key issue", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "major concern" or "significant concern"?

Both "major concern" and "significant concern" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Significant" might suggest a more quantifiable or measurable worry, while "major" indicates substantial importance.

What makes something a "significant concern"?

A "significant concern" arises when an issue poses a considerable risk or has the potential for serious negative consequences, warranting attention and action.