underlying concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental issue or worry that is not immediately obvious but affects a situation or discussion. Example: "While the meeting focused on immediate problems, the underlying concern about budget cuts remained unaddressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet one important television executive subscribes to Shandling's underlying concern.

The New Yorker

It is an a priori or conceptual investigation, the underlying concern of which is to identify rather than to explain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And while McDonnell's particular case involved gifts and vacations, the underlying concern for the Court, for much of day, was campaign contributions.

The New Yorker

She covers civil rights, women's rights and almost everything in between, but even when she's writing about more intimate matters, her underlying concern is freedom.

The New York Times - Books

What distinguishes "Time of Favor" from countless other thrillers is its underlying concern with the consequences of words and with the complicated emotions fueling terrorist acts.

The New York Times

The bulls are beginning to shout louder, albeit there remains an underlying concern that we may be in the midst of a bear market rally.

The Guardian - Business

The vice president's trip to Baghdad in a C-17 cargo plane was cloaked in secrecy, reflecting the underlying concern about the security of visiting leaders.

The New York Times

But her subtitle should alert a nonscientific reader that her book is not a history of biology; her underlying concern is with the philosophical problem of what "understanding" means.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Blix's comments were significant because it has become more apparent in the wake of the unanimous Security Council vote last Friday that the convergence of goals to disarm Iraq masks a great deal of underlying concern by France, Russia and China that the United States would not give the inspection process a reasonable period of time to succeed.

The New York Times

Volk says the continuing uncertainty over the presidential election, combined with underlying concern over the state of the economy, are keeping the market from sustaining a rally.

Forbes

Chomsky's preferred terminology has shifted over the years but his underlying concern with what speakers unconsciously know (or 'believe', or 'cognize' or 'represent') rather than with how they put that knowledge to use has remained.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying concern" to introduce a more profound or less immediately apparent issue that influences a situation. This sets the stage for a deeper analysis or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying concern" when a simple, direct concern is evident. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound convoluted when a more straightforward expression would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a fundamental, often unspoken, worry or issue that influences a situation. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in specifying a deeper issue beneath the surface.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "underlying concern" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to denote a fundamental, often less obvious, issue or worry that significantly influences a situation. As noted in the Ludwig AI analysis, it appears most commonly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance clarity in writing, ensure the "underlying concern" is clearly linked to the surface issue and avoid overuse in straightforward contexts. Alternatives like "fundamental worry" or "core issue" can provide variety. The phrase holds a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for diverse, serious discussions and analyses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental worry

Focuses on the worry aspect, simplifying the phrase.

core issue

Highlights the central problem or matter at hand.

basic anxiety

Emphasizes the anxiety component, suitable for psychological contexts.

root apprehension

Stresses the foundational nature of the apprehension.

primary disquiet

Highlights the disturbance or unease at the forefront.

key preoccupation

Focuses on what is constantly occupying someone's thoughts.

chief consideration

Emphasizes the most important factor to consider.

real worry

Underscores the genuineness of the concern.

latent anxiety

Highlights that the anxiety is present but not openly displayed.

hidden trepidation

Focuses on the fear or dread that is concealed.

FAQs

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

You can use "underlying concern" to highlight a fundamental issue or worry that's not immediately obvious but significantly affects a situation. For example: "While the immediate problem was funding, the "underlying concern" was the lack of community support."

What's a good alternative to "underlying concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "fundamental worry", "core issue", or "chief consideration" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "main underlying concern"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "main underlying concern" can be redundant. "Underlying" already implies a fundamental or primary aspect, so "main concern" or "underlying concern" alone is usually sufficient.

What's the difference between "underlying concern" and "overarching theme"?

"Underlying concern" refers to a worry or issue that influences a situation, whereas "overarching theme" refers to a dominant idea or message. An "overarching theme" provides a framework, while an "underlying concern" prompts unease or requires attention.