utter concern

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter concern" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong feeling of worry or fear that someone has. Example: After learning what happened, she felt an utter concern for the safety of her loved ones.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This week Colin Powell, America's secretary of state, was in Moscow, uttering concerns about democracy, the rule of law and the like just the things that George Bush said were "thriving" in Russia when Mr Putin visited him last autumn.

The Economist

Wilbur goes on to make a number of delicately dark suggestions: the undead (who are implicitly associated with a certain kind of artist) come "as all extremists do / In time, to a sort of grandeur"; their "utter self-concern" finally renders them "selfless: / Mirrors fail to perceive them"; and they are haunted by what they will never have, "rooms with something to lose".

The New York Times - Books

But he said he was concerned with "the utter lack of concern they seem to have for the deficit and debt — and I don't point my finger just at President Obama," noting the steadily escalating deficits during the years of Republican government as well.

The New York Times

These Republicans, of course, uttered no concerns about judicial bias in approving the nominations of a lawmaker dedicated to gun rights, or of a lifelong pro-labor nominee and 34 others identified with assorted causes.

The New York Times

But an opponent might respond that interpreting ordinary speakers as uttering truths concerning logic can look rather similar to attributing true beliefs about quantum mechanics to infants.

SEP

b) utter indifference c) concern for his job.

The Guardian - Tech

TRIPOLI, Libya — Taken at face value, the official Libyan account of an overnight NATO bombing attack on Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's leadership compound in the heart of Tripoli was wrenching — an example, as the Libyans told it, of NATO's "barbarity" toward Libyan civilians and the West's utter lack of concern for international "morality".

The New York Times

Heck, if you were disturbed by the utter lack of concern for the millions of people perished in the San Andreas earthquakes, then Rampage will allow you to sit back and discreetly root for the monsters sans empathetic guilt.

Forbes

Nomole was a term meaning brothers which I had heard many times in the last few days, at once embracing and familial yet also uttered with apprehensive concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Not at any time did they show up during that process and utter a word of concern about affordable housing at the L.I.D.C.," Mr. Israel said.

The New York Times

The one thing you will never hear anyone utter a peep of concern about when it comes to models is smoking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter concern" to emphasize a high degree of worry or anxiety. This phrase is effective when you want to convey that the concern is significant and profound.

Common error

Avoid using "utter concern" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is quite formal and may sound unnatural in relaxed settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very worried" or "really concerned" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter concern" functions as a noun phrase where "utter" intensifies the noun "concern". It indicates a strong feeling of worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a significant degree of worry or anxiety. Although Ludwig AI validates its correctness, its formality makes it more appropriate for formal writing and professional communication rather than casual conversation. As there are no exact matches in the provided Ludwig examples, it's important to consider context and choose alternatives like "deep worry" or "profound anxiety" where a more nuanced or less formal tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep worry

Emphasizes the depth of worry, suggesting a significant level of anxiety.

profound anxiety

Highlights the intensity of anxiety, indicating a severe state of concern.

grave apprehension

Indicates a serious and significant feeling of unease about future events.

serious disquiet

Focuses on the disturbance and lack of peace caused by the concern.

extreme unease

Highlights the intensity of discomfort and anxiety.

considerable worry

Emphasizes the extent and significance of the worry.

intense anxiety

Highlights the strong and overwhelming nature of the anxiety.

acute concern

Focuses on the sharp and immediate nature of the concern.

deep anxiety

Highlights the depth and complexity of anxious feelings.

marked apprehension

Emphasizes the noticeable and distinct nature of the apprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "utter concern" to express a strong feeling of worry or anxiety about something. For instance, "The community expressed utter concern over the rising crime rates."

What are some alternatives to "utter concern"?

Alternatives include "deep worry", "profound anxiety", or "grave apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utter concern" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "utter concern" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the seriousness of the worry or anxiety.

What distinguishes "utter concern" from "slight concern"?

"Utter concern" indicates a high degree of worry, emphasizing the intensity and significance of the concern. In contrast, "slight concern" suggests a mild level of unease or worry.