small concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor issue or worry that is not of great significance. Example: "While there are a few small concerns regarding the project timeline, overall, we are on track to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

No small concern.

The New York Times

It is no small concern.

The New York Times

This was a matter of no small concern.

The New York Times - Health

Overtopping, however, presents only a "small concern," the corps said.

The New York Times - Science

His mother started a small concern writing and reading letters for illiterate neighbors.

The New Yorker

Robert B. Tierney, the commission chairman, is left with only one small concern.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In my mind, this is a small-scale concern.

The New York Times

qualified HUBZone small business concern (as defined in section 632(p) of this title).

Cornell University

Participant means a small business concern admitted to participate in the 8(a) BD program.

Cornell University

When the collective emotion subsides, we all return to our small concerns.

The Guardian - Opinion

They study their fellow patrons, listen to their worries and small concerns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small concern" when you want to downplay the severity of an issue or suggest it doesn't warrant significant attention. It's effective for acknowledging a problem without exaggerating its impact.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "small concern" in formal reports, especially when addressing potentially serious issues. This can diminish the perceived importance of critical areas and undermine the overall credibility of your assessment. Instead, use a variety of phrases to accurately reflect the spectrum of issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically characterizes something as a minor or insignificant worry. Ludwig AI shows various examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small concern" is a noun phrase used to describe something that is only slightly worrying or problematic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various domains, particularly within news and media. While generally suitable for neutral and professional contexts, it is important to use it thoughtfully to avoid downplaying truly serious issues. Alternatives include "minor issue" and "slight worry", which can provide a similar meaning while avoiding overuse of the original phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor issue

Focuses on the problem being insignificant.

slight worry

Highlights the low intensity of the concern.

negligible problem

Emphasizes the insignificance of the problem.

trivial matter

Indicates the unimportance of the issue.

insignificant issue

Directly states the lack of significance.

minor reservation

Highlights a slight hesitance or doubt.

small reservation

Expresses the idea of a little doubt.

passing thought

Expresses something one considers.

minor quibble

Indicates a small or petty objection.

minimal anxiety

Expresses the idea of a little anxiety.

FAQs

How to use "small concern" in a sentence?

You can use "small concern" to describe an issue that is not particularly serious or worrisome. For example, "The project has been successful, although there are a few "minor issues" we need to address."

What can I say instead of "small concern"?

You can use alternatives like "minor issue", "slight worry", or "negligible problem" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "small concern" or "big concern"?

Both "small concern" and "big concern" are correct, but they describe different levels of importance. Use "small concern" when the issue is minor and "big concern" when the issue is significant.

What's the difference between "small concern" and "minor issue"?

"Small concern" and "minor issue" are very similar. While both refer to something that's not serious, "small concern" may slightly emphasize the worry or apprehension aspect compared to the more neutral "minor issue".