very much concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much concerning" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when expressing a strong feeling of worry or unease about a particular issue, but it is better to use more conventional phrases. Example: "The recent events are very much concerning to the community, prompting discussions about safety measures."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There is an accountability question that is very much concerning a lot of people in health care.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

"Margaret Mitchell created an educational fund at Moorhouse College and was very much concerned with African Americans," says estate lawyer Rick Kurnit.

The Guardian - Books

"Now it means United States trademark owners must be very much concerned with what's out there in the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "very much concerning" is understandable, opt for stronger, more direct synonyms like "deeply worried" or "seriously concerned" to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid relying on "very much" excessively. It can dilute the impact of your writing. Choose specific adjectives or adverbs to convey the intensity of your concern more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much concerning" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a state of worry or unease. Ludwig AI notes this usage is acceptable, although less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very much concerning" is an acceptable, though not ideal, way to express worry or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness but suggests stronger alternatives like "deeply worried" or "seriously concerned" for improved clarity and impact. Predominantly found in news and media, encyclopedia, and science contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register. While understandable, direct alternatives are usually preferred for stronger communication. Remember to avoid overusing "very much" in your writing to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously concerned

Substitutes "very much" with "seriously", intensifying the level of concern.

genuinely concerned

Highlights the sincerity of the concern.

deeply worried

Replaces "very much concerning" with a more direct expression of worry.

gravely concerned

Replaces "very much" with "gravely", suggesting a more severe level of concern.

of great concern

Emphasizes the importance and weight of the concern.

extremely worried about

Emphasizes the worry aspect, replacing "concerning" with a more direct synonym.

quite troubling

Uses "troubling" instead of "concerning", offering a slightly different tone.

highly anxious about

Shifts the focus to anxiety, suggesting a more emotional response.

major concern

Presents the issue as a significant worry.

uneasy about

Expresses a feeling of discomfort or apprehension.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "very much concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply worried", "seriously concerned", or "quite troubling" depending on the context.

Is "very much concerning" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "very much concerning" isn't the most common or elegant phrasing. It's preferable to use stronger, more direct alternatives to express concern.

How can I use "seriously concerned" instead of "very much concerning"?

Replace "very much concerning" directly with "seriously concerned". For example, instead of saying "The situation is very much concerning", say "The situation is seriously concerned".

What's the difference between "very much concerning" and "of great concern"?

"Very much concerning" directly expresses a feeling of worry, while "of great concern" emphasizes the importance or significance of the issue causing the worry. The latter is often more formal.