very much concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much concern" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to express a strong level of concern, but the phrasing is awkward and not idiomatic. Example: "I have very much concern about the recent changes in policy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I'm not aware that there's very much concern," Mr. Nicholson said in an interview.

The New York Times

Other than the two organisations selected for the project, the report says, providers "saw themselves as running a business and the correlation between that business's 'product' and national policy did not seem to very much concern them".

The Guardian

Only a small subgroup is characterized by (very) much concern.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We are very much concerned about guns," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

But people are very much concerned about Palestine.

The Guardian

"Then I was very much concerned about the atmosphere, the milieu," he says.

The Guardian - Arts

"Men are also very much concerned with the relation between their status and their garment".

The New York Times

I am very much concerned that American Negroes achieve their freedom here in the United States.

The New Yorker

"I was very much concerned with taking the instrumental sounds apart," she says.

The Guardian - Music

Rylance added that he was "very much" concerned about the rising ticket prices in London's Theatreland.

Independent

Mr. Vivant acknowledges his company is "very much concerned about the future" because of the M.T.R.'s expansion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing concern, use established phrases like "great concern" or "significant concern" for better clarity and acceptance in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "very much concern". Opt for direct and clear wording. For example, instead of saying "I have very much concern", say "I am greatly concerned" or "I have great concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much concern" functions as a noun phrase intended to express a high degree of worry or apprehension. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not considered correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "very much concern" aims to express a high degree of worry, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives such as "great concern" or "significant concern" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. Although examples exist in news and scientific contexts, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Prioritize established and grammatically sound alternatives to effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Great concern

Replaces "very much" with "great" to form a more standard and accepted phrase to express concern.

Significant concern

Substitutes "very much" with "significant" for a more formal and grammatically sound expression of concern.

Deep concern

Uses "deep" instead of "very much" to convey a profound level of worry or apprehension.

Considerable concern

Employs "considerable" to indicate a substantial degree of worry.

Serious concern

Replaces "very much" with "serious" to highlight the gravity of the concern.

A lot of concern

Uses "a lot of" to express a high degree of concern, though slightly more informal.

Much concern

Shortens the phrase while still conveying a notable degree of concern, though less emphatic.

Genuine concern

Indicates that the concern is sincere and authentic.

Substantial concern

Conveys that the level of concern is significant and noteworthy.

Grave concern

Highlights the seriousness and potential consequences associated with the concern.

FAQs

How can I express a high level of worry without using "very much concern"?

You can use phrases like "great concern", "significant concern", or "deep concern" to convey a strong sense of worry in a grammatically correct manner.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very much concern"?

According to standard English grammar, the phrase "very much concern" is not considered correct. It is preferable to use alternatives like "great concern" or rephrase the sentence to use "concerned" as an adjective.

What are some formal alternatives to "very much concern" for professional writing?

In professional writing, opt for phrases such as "significant concern", "considerable concern", or "serious concern" to maintain a formal and grammatically sound tone.

Which is more appropriate: "very much concern" or "very concerned"?

The phrase "very concerned" is more appropriate and grammatically correct. You can also use "greatly concerned" as a stronger alternative. "Very much concern" should be avoided in formal writing.