the concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the concerning" is not correct and usable in written English as it lacks clarity and proper context.
It may be intended to refer to something that is troubling or worrisome, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The concerning issue of climate change requires immediate attention."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We recognize the need to resolve the concerning questions that have been raised," Ms. Tarantino said.

The New York Times - Health

The concerning news is that Munster, somehow, did nick one in defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Much of the concerning behaviour experienced by commenters occurred over social networking site Facebook.

Independent

"The government should stop trying to peddle policies that people do not want and should instead focus on the concerning levels of child poverty in Australia".

The Guardian

Patricia Arquette and Meryl Streep have spoken up this year about the lack of strong female-led project and the concerning lack of female directors in the business.

The Guardian - Film

Logan Lerman reveals the concerning details of LaBeouf's extreme "method" preparation in an interview with GQ, as reported by the Press Association.

The Guardian - Film

In response to the concerning but containable threat of Ebola in the United States, avoiding excessive alarm is wise; avoiding excessive complacency, wiser still.

The Guardian - Opinion

The concerning aspect of the law, which brings Australia into line with the approach adopted by totalitarian regimes elsewhere, are the secrecy provisions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The inspectorate in 2015 raised concerns about the "concerning" use of guard dogs by private security in youth detention, citing the case of three Indigenous girls who had run from staff and jumped into a pool at the Cleveland centre.

The Guardian

Terry Hughes, a coral reef biologist at James Cook University and head of the National Coral Bleaching Taskforce, said the concerning results were not surprising – noting Hoegh-Guldberg had predicted similar results 17 years ago.

The Guardian

Interviewing the pharmacist was to inquire the concerning double checks as well as supporting advice.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using more grammatically sound alternatives like "the relevant", "the worrisome", or "the troubling" for increased clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the concerning" in formal writing; it often sounds awkward and can be easily replaced with more standard adjectives or prepositional phrases to enhance readability and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

While appearing in various contexts, "the concerning" is not grammatically sound. Ludwig AI suggests that its primary function is to modify a noun, attempting to highlight something that is relevant or worrisome. However, this usage is often viewed as incorrect and can be improved with alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the concerning" appears frequently across various sources, it's grammatically questionable and often considered incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using more standard alternatives like "the relevant", "the worrisome", or "the troubling" for improved clarity and professionalism. Despite its frequency in Science and News & Media, avoiding it in formal writing enhances readability and precision. The phrase aims to highlight relevance or worry, but more accurate options ensure better communication. As Ludwig AI shows, there are better ways to express the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the relevant

Replaces "concerning" with a more grammatically standard adjective indicating pertinence.

the worrisome

Substitutes "concerning" with a term specifically denoting something that causes worry.

the troubling

Similar to "worrisome", but may imply a deeper level of disturbance.

the pertinent

A more formal synonym of relevant, emphasizing direct connection to the matter at hand.

the regarding

Replaces "concerning" with a prepositional form indicating reference to a specific subject.

the relating to

Expands the phrase to clarify the connection to a subject.

the affecting

Focuses on the impact or influence of the subject.

the impacting

Highlights the effect on a particular issue or situation.

the about

Simple preposition indicating the subject of discussion or worry.

the in question

Identifies a specific item or topic that is under consideration.

FAQs

How can I use a more grammatically correct alternative to "the concerning"?

Consider using alternatives like "the relevant", "the troubling", or "the pertinent" depending on the context. These options offer improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "the concerning" considered formal or informal language?

While "the concerning" appears in various sources, it is generally not considered formal language and may be viewed as grammatically incorrect. It's best to opt for more precise and standard alternatives in formal writing.

What's the difference between "the concerning" and "the relevant"?

"The concerning" implies something that is causing worry or is of interest, while "the relevant" simply means something is related to the matter at hand. "The relevant" is also grammatically correct and more widely accepted.

When is it appropriate to use "the concerning"?

Although it appears in some published works, "the concerning" is often considered grammatically incorrect. It's advisable to use alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.