very concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

"very concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express your concern about something. For example: "The rise in poverty levels is very concerning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that's very concerning".

The New York Times

This is very concerning.

The Guardian

It is very concerning.

The New York Times

That was very, very concerning.

Independent

"It's a very concerning development".

The New York Times

"These issues are very concerning," she said.

The New York Times

It was very concerning for my family.

The New York Times

"It is very concerning," she says.

The Guardian

This was concerning, this was very concerning.

The New Yorker

"Needless to say, today's indictment is very concerning to Michael".

The Guardian

It's something that is very concerning to us".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very concerning" to express a significant level of worry or apprehension about a situation or development. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very concerning" for every situation. Vary your language by using more nuanced expressions like "deeply troubling" or "seriously worrying" to convey the specific degree and nature of your concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very concerning" primarily functions as a subjective assessment of a situation, development, or piece of information. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very concerning" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant level of worry or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and readily understood. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and consider more nuanced alternatives like "deeply troubling" or "seriously worrying" to convey the specific nature of your concern. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, highlighting its suitability for discussing sensitive issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously worrying

Indicates a significant cause for anxiety.

deeply troubling

Highlights the emotional impact of the situation.

gravely concerning

Suggests a severe and urgent level of concern.

profoundly worrying

Emphasizes the depth of the concern.

highly alarming

Emphasizes the potential for danger or threat.

exceptionally alarming

Highlights the unusual level of concern.

extremely disquieting

Focuses on the disturbance and unease caused.

quite disturbing

Highlights the unsettling nature of the situation.

remarkably troubling

Stresses the noticeable and significant nature of the concern.

distressingly concerning

Combines concern with a sense of distress.

FAQs

How can I use "very concerning" in a sentence?

You can use "very concerning" to express worry about a situation. For example, "The increase in unemployment is "very concerning"".

What are some alternatives to "very concerning"?

Alternatives include "deeply troubling", "seriously worrying", or "highly alarming", depending on the specific context.

Is "very concerning" too informal for professional writing?

While "very concerning" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "deeply troubling" or "gravely concerning" in highly professional or academic contexts for added impact.

What makes something "very concerning" as opposed to just "concerning"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the level of worry. "Very concerning" suggests a higher degree of apprehension and potential negative consequences than simply "concerning".