to concern oneself with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to concern oneself with" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing topics or issues that require personal attention or involvement. Example: "She chose to concern herself with the environmental impact of the project." Alternative expressions include "to engage with" and "to involve oneself in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unlike other company imperatives such as production, transportation, sales, innovation, marketing or community involvement — all activities where the goal is to make something happen — to concern oneself with safety is to focus on making tragic events not happen.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Selfishness denotes an excessive or exclusive concern with oneself and goes beyond normal self-interest or self-concern.

Huffington Post

The dictionary defines selfish as: "devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others".

Huffington Post

Protecting oneself with no concern for others.

WikiHow

In other words, there is an excessive lack of concern for oneself (self) and excessive concern for others, evidently presenting along with tendencies to self-sacrifice and help others while doing oneself harm.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

"It is more fascinating than history, as it is concerned simply with oneself".

The New Yorker

Decisions of how to balance environmental concerns with human concerns.

Huffington Post

I continue to follow developments with concern".

BBC

"That concern resonated with me.

The New York Times

Most MBAs concern themselves with worldly problems.

The Economist

Concern yourself with her safety.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to concern oneself with", ensure that the object of your concern is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether you "concern oneself with" safety protocols or environmental regulations for clarity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is taking action. Instead of "Mistakes were concerned with", clarify by stating, "The team should concern itself with common mistakes" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to concern oneself with" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating active involvement or attention towards a particular subject. Ludwig AI explains its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to concern oneself with" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression that signifies active involvement or focused attention. As Ludwig AI has indicated, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and science-related discussions. While its usage isn't overly frequent, it provides a specific nuance that emphasizes mindful engagement. Remember to define the object of concern clearly and avoid overusing passive voice for clarity. Consider alternatives like "to focus on" or "to pay attention to" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to take an interest in

This alternative highlights the act of developing a curiosity or attentiveness toward something, suggesting a less proactive role than "to concern oneself with".

to be involved in

This phrase emphasizes active participation or engagement in a particular activity or situation, whereas "to concern oneself with" can imply a more passive consideration.

to involve oneself in

This highlights the act of becoming personally entangled or mixed up in something, implying a proactive role and potential consequences.

to pay attention to

This alternative focuses on giving notice or consideration to something, lacking the implication of personal responsibility or investment found in the original phrase.

to focus on

This suggests a concentration of effort or attention on a specific area, similar to "to concern oneself with" but without necessarily implying a personal stake.

to occupy oneself with

This phrase denotes filling one's time or attention with something, implying a deliberate choice to engage with a particular subject or task.

to be mindful of

This emphasizes awareness and consideration of something, focusing on the mental aspect of paying attention and taking something into account.

to dedicate oneself to

This alternative shows a higher degree of commitment and devotion than "to concern oneself with", suggesting a deep and ongoing involvement.

to apply oneself to

This suggests directing one's efforts or skills toward a specific task or goal, emphasizing action and application rather than general interest or worry.

to take to heart

This phrase means to feel something strongly and to be deeply affected by it, carrying a stronger emotional connotation compared to the more neutral "to concern oneself with".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to concern oneself with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "to address", "to attend to", or "to devote attention to", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "to concern oneself with" and "to worry about"?

"To concern oneself with" implies a more proactive and responsible approach, suggesting attention and potential action. "To worry about", on the other hand, primarily denotes anxiety or unease without necessarily involving action. To concern oneself suggests involvement, whereas to worry may imply helplessness.

Is it ever appropriate to use "to concern oneself with" in informal writing?

Yes, it can be used in informal writing, though it might sound slightly more formal than other options. In casual contexts, phrases like "to focus on", "to think about", or "to deal with" may be more suitable.

How to use "to concern oneself with" in a sentence?

The phrase "to concern oneself with" is typically followed by the object of one's concern. For example, "One should concern oneself with the ethical implications of their actions" or "The company needs to concern itself with improving customer satisfaction."