was highly concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was highly concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something caused significant worry or alarm in a past context. Example: "The report on the environmental impact of the project was highly concerning to the community members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He said the possible chilling effect on democratic activity was highly concerning.

Vice

Mnuchin said the growth in federal debt under former President Barack Obama was "highly concerning" and told attendees that infrastructure spending will not be part of the tax talks between the administration and Congress.

Huffington Post

The increase in size and development of a soft tissue component, along with new symptoms, was highly concerning for malignant transformation.

Cancer Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said it was "highly concerned" by the reports.

The Guardian

SHERRON WATKINS: I was highly concerned that not only had the Titanic hit the iceberg, but we were already tilting.

Harvard Business Review

The Chinese Embassy gave a tart statement to the newspaper the Australian saying that it was "highly concerned" that its investment had been rejected.

The Washington Post

"As a mother, and as a parent, when I read the list of these products, I was highly concerned because many of the products on this list were literally in my bathroom," she said in a conference call.

The New York Times

In the same post, she quoted the Times' executive editor Jill Abramson as noting "The Guardian at the beginning was highly concerned about working in a way that kept the material secure – we went to lengths to safeguard the material".

The Guardian

It said the government was "highly concerned about hostility against critical infrastructure organizations," and included a link to a previous warning about Shamoon, the virus used in the Saudi Aramco attack last year.

The New York Times

However, Sean McKeever of the union Unite, said he was "highly concerned" with the news of the temporary closure.

BBC

China, which has a major investment in the port of Piraeus, said it was "highly concerned" by the moves, according to AFP news agency.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was highly concerning", ensure the context clearly identifies what caused the concern and why it was significant. This helps provide a complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "highly" to intensify concern. Instead, provide specific details about the issue and use stronger verbs or adjectives to convey the severity of the concern. For example, instead of saying "the situation was highly concerning", try "the situation presented significant risks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was highly concerning" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's state or quality. It indicates that something caused a significant level of worry or alarm. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing situations that prompted concern.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was highly concerning" functions as a predicate adjective to express significant worry or alarm about a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific and academic writing. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is readily understood and effectively conveys the seriousness of a situation. Consider the related phrases to add nuance to your writing. Be cautious with "highly" and ensure the source of concern is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deeply troubling

Replaces "highly concerning" with "deeply troubling", emphasizing the disturbing nature of the issue.

was very alarming

Substitutes "highly concerning" with "very alarming", highlighting the alarming aspect.

caused significant worry

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive expression of causing significant worry.

raised serious concerns

Shifts the focus to the act of raising concerns, rather than the state of being concerned.

prompted considerable anxiety

Uses "prompted considerable anxiety" to convey a similar feeling of unease and worry.

was a major worry

Simplifies the phrase to express that something was a significant source of worry.

was cause for alarm

Indicates that the situation was serious enough to warrant alarm.

was a serious matter for concern

Rephrases the concern as a serious issue, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

demanded immediate attention due to its worrying nature

Explains why something got immediate attention. Not interchangeable, use only where you want to provide more information.

represented a worrying trend

Focuses on how the issue is a sign of something more serious in the future, framing the problem as a trend.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "was highly concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "was deeply troubling", "was very alarming", or "raised serious concerns" depending on the context.

How can I use "was highly concerning" in a sentence?

Use "was highly concerning" to describe something in the past that caused significant worry or alarm. For example: "The increase in errors in the financial report "was highly concerning" to the auditors."

What makes something "highly concerning" versus just "concerning"?

"Highly concerning" suggests a greater level of worry or alarm than simply "concerning". It implies that the issue is particularly serious or has significant potential consequences.

Is "was highly concerning" formal or informal language?

"Was highly concerning" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, or professional communications. In more casual settings, you might opt for a simpler phrase like "was very worrisome".