something to be concerned about

USAGE SUMMARY

"something to be concerned about" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize an important matter that should not be overlooked or forgotten. For example: "My declining physical health is something to be concerned about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"That's a wild card, certainly something to be concerned about," he acknowledged.

The New York Times

"If it's good, we'll tell you about it and if it's something to be concerned about, we will tell you as well," said Geoffrey Arone, chief of SafetyWeb.

The New York Times - Tech

"I've never spoken with anybody who's brought that particular building up as something to be concerned about," said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council.

The New York Times

"Even five patients is something to be concerned about," said Dr. Erin E. Tracy, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School.

The New York Times

"It's a very thoughtful group, but the important thing is putting it into the perspective of what 'possible' means, and the likelihood that this is really something to be concerned about," Dr. Stampfer said.

The New York Times

"You see a substantial burden of cardiovascular risk factors even among normal weight kids, and that is certainly something to be concerned about," said Dr. Ashleigh L. May, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the paper's lead author.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Your average person on the street understands that when something causes birth defects in a rat, that's something for humans to be concerned about," says Solomon. "But when you base policies on perturbations of thyroid hormone homeostasis, well, it's going to be harder for the public to know what to think about that".

Environmental Health Perspectives

"I don't have the answer but that's something I have to be concerned about," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's something we have to be concerned about," he said of the potential of a chlorine-based attack.

The New York Times

"There is a lot of kidnapping, robbery, extortion – that's something tourists need to be concerned about," said Felbab-Brown.

BBC

"It is the case that anything that reveals security issues, which by definition are kept secret for a purpose and potentially gives help to terrorists, is something the government needs to be concerned about and act on," said May.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something to be concerned about" to introduce issues needing careful consideration or action. For example, "The increasing rates of cybercrime are something to be concerned about."

Common error

Avoid using "something to be concerned about" too frequently in a single piece of writing; vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Over-relying on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider alternatives like "a worrying trend" or "a cause for alarm".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something to be concerned about" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It typically follows a linking verb (e.g., is, seems) and describes a subject that warrants attention or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something to be concerned about" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing worry or highlighting a potential problem. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in news, science, and professional contexts. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase and consider alternatives like "cause for concern" or "matter of concern" to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is best suited for neutral to professional settings, given its prevalence in news and business sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something to worry about

Uses a more direct and common term for worry.

cause for concern

Focuses on the reason for worry rather than the feeling itself.

matter of concern

Highlights the issue as significant and requiring attention.

potential problem

Indicates something that could develop into a difficulty.

reason for anxiety

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of worry.

area of apprehension

Emphasizes a sense of unease or fear about something.

point of concern

Identifies a specific element that warrants attention.

issue of importance

Shifts the focus to the significance of the matter.

significant consideration

Highlights the importance of thinking carefully about something.

area for improvement

Focuses on the need to make things better, rather than concern.

FAQs

How can I use "something to be concerned about" in a sentence?

You can use "something to be concerned about" to highlight potential problems or issues that warrant attention. For example, "The lack of funding for education is "something to be concerned about"".

What can I say instead of "something to be concerned about"?

You can use alternatives like "something to worry about", "cause for concern", or "matter of concern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "something to be concerned about" or "something to be worried about"?

Both ""something to be concerned about"" and "something to be worried about" are correct, but "something to be concerned about" is often used in more formal contexts, while "something to be worried about" is more informal.

What's the difference between "something to be concerned about" and "significant consideration"?

"Something to be concerned about" implies a potential negative outcome, while "significant consideration" simply suggests that something requires careful thought, without necessarily implying worry.