spread concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of causing worry or anxiety among a group of people regarding a particular issue or situation. Example: "The recent news about the environmental crisis has spread concern among the local community about the future of their health and safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In about 40 dioceses, more than 100 priests were suddenly removed this year, as news accounts of the scandal that began in Boston spread concern nationwide.

The New York Times

But there are no easy answers in a game of brinksmanship that continues to spread concern across the eurozone, leaving the Cypriot people facing a deeply worrying future.

The Guardian - Business

The events aboard the Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, caused a crisis in Israel's relations with its once close ally, Turkey, and spread concern far beyond the region, prompting calls for an international inquiry and a lifting of the blockade.

The New York Times

And the attempt, only minutes before, to shoot down a jet taking off from Mombasa's airport with 261 passengers on board, has spread concern about the availability to terrorists of shoulder-launched missiles.Israel has vowed to hunt down the group responsible for the attack, which has been widely blamed on al-Qaeda, the terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden.

The Economist

The 2010 science budget the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry presented to Parliament last week has now spread concern and uncertainty among the Spanish scientific community.

Science Magazine

News of the provisional suspension had spread concern that English boxers could be prohibited from competing at October's World Amateur Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Perhaps the most pernicious myth that has been spread concerns the cancellation of the video link with Salman.

The New York Times

With the recent wide spread concerns of the environmental and public health effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), it is becoming important to develop new techniques to remove these substances from wastewater.

Chemical Engineering Journal

As news reports spread concerning the bomber's identity and his death at the hands of the police, Black sees that Dees has achieved the fame he longed for.

Wikipedia

As 32 passengers with serious injuries and 83 with lesser wounds were being treated in hospital, Mr Paul Channon, the Transport Secretary, ordered a full independent inquiry into the crash which would, among other aspects, examine the possible relevance of the level of government investment in railway network and wide-spread concern about overcrowded trains.

The Guardian

The tumult in the European monetary zone is spreading concern among investors of a broader crisis in financial markets from Ireland to Spain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread concern" to describe situations where worry or anxiety is actively expanding within a group or community.

Common error

While "spread concern" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "worry" or "cause anxiety" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread concern" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "spread" acts as a transitive verb and "concern" serves as its direct object. This indicates an action being performed, that is, the dissemination of worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spread concern" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes the action of causing worry or anxiety. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's worth noting that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific and formal business contexts. Alternative phrases like "raise alarm" or "generate anxiety" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "spread concern", ensure clarity by specifying both the source and the recipient of the concern. It's usage tends towards formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark apprehension

Changes verb to "spark" implying a sudden onset of worry and replaces "concern" with "apprehension" which is slightly more formal.

generate anxiety

Replaces "spread" with "generate" indicating creation of anxiety instead of distribution. "Anxiety" is more intense than "concern".

raise alarm

Changing to "raise alarm" shifts the focus to alerting people about a potential danger, implying a more urgent sense of concern.

foster worry

Substituting "spread" with "foster" indicates nurturing or encouraging worry, rather than simply distributing it.

trigger unease

Substituting "spread concern" with "trigger unease" conveys a sense of initiating a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

provoke anxiety

Changing to "provoke anxiety" suggests a stronger reaction than simple concern, implying a deliberate incitement of worry.

instill disquiet

Using "instill disquiet" suggests a gradual introduction of unease, altering the manner in which concern is spread.

arouse misgivings

Using "arouse misgivings" replaces concern with a feeling of apprehension or doubt about whether something is right or appropriate.

breed suspicion

Changing to "breed suspicion" indicate that concern is converted to distrust or doubt in something or someone.

plant doubts

Replacing "spread concern" with "plant doubts" suggests the surreptitious introduction of uncertainty into people's minds.

FAQs

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

You can use "spread concern" to describe how information or events cause worry among people. For example, "The news of the factory closure "spread concern" throughout the town."

What are some alternatives to "spread concern"?

Alternatives to "spread concern" include "raise alarm", "generate anxiety", or "foster worry", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "spread concern" or "widespread concern"?

"Spread concern" describes the act of causing concern to increase, while "widespread concern" describes a state where concern is already prevalent. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "spread concern" and "raise concerns"?

"Spread concern" describes the action of making people worried, whereas "raise concerns" indicates expressing existing worries or doubts. For example, citizens "raise concerns" about budget cuts that "spread concern" among city employees.