they concern

USAGE SUMMARY

'they concern' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something matters to someone or affects someone in some way. For example, "My parents disapprove of my choice of career path, so these decisions concern them greatly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They concern, thank God, only material things.

The Guardian

They concern the structural weaknesses that bedevil multilateral efforts.

The New York Times

They concern the machinery used for co-operation among governments.

The Economist

"They concern the essence of the future accord.

The New York Times

Whenever they concern migration numbers, as most do, participation rises.

The Guardian

"I take these allegations very seriously," he said "They concern me very greatly.

The New York Times

Some emotions are very specific, insofar as they concern a particular person, object, or situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like all great fiction they concern life's fundamental generalities - hope, loyalty, duty, compromise and love.

The Guardian - Books

They concern a system called Gem Purchasing, a sophisticated version of the technology used by Leeds.

The Guardian

"I continue to write songs, but they concern love, the human condition, nature.

The New York Times

"I continue to write songs," he said, "but they concern love, the human condition, nature".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they concern", ensure the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific plural noun to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The new regulations concern employee safety."

Common error

Avoid overusing "they concern" when a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. Instead of "These changes concern the budget", consider "These changes affect the budget" or "These changes are related to the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they concern" functions as a verb phrase indicating relevance or impact. It expresses that a particular subject is connected to or has an effect on something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote relevance or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and numerous examples show its prevalence across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. When using "they concern", ensure the pronoun has a clear antecedent and consider whether a more specific verb could enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "they relate to" or "they pertain to" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they relate to

This alternative suggests a direct connection or relevance between the subject and the object.

they pertain to

This phrase indicates a specific relevance or connection to a particular subject or matter.

they involve

This suggests that the subject encompasses or includes the object as a component.

they affect

This indicates that the subject has an influence or impact on the object.

they are about

This is a more general way of indicating the topic or subject matter.

they deal with

This implies addressing or handling specific issues or topics.

they regard

This suggests considering or having a specific opinion or feeling about the object.

they allude to

This implies an indirect reference or suggestion about the object.

they touch on

This suggests briefly mentioning or addressing a topic.

they are relevant to

This alternative highlights the pertinence or applicability of the subject to the object.

FAQs

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

Use "they concern" to indicate that something is relevant to or affects a group of people or things. For example, "The new safety protocols concern all employees".

What can I say instead of "they concern"?

You can use alternatives such as "they relate to", "they pertain to", or "they involve" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it concerns" instead of "they concern"?

Yes, but "it concerns" is used when referring to a singular subject, while "they concern" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The report concerns the budget", versus "The reports concern the budgets".

What's the difference between "they concern" and "they are concerned about"?

"They concern" means something affects or relates to a group, whereas "they are concerned about" means a group is worried or anxious about something. For example, "The new policies concern employee benefits" versus "Employees are concerned about the new policies".