we were concerned with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were concerned with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing topics, issues, or subjects that were the focus of attention or interest in a particular context. Example: "In our research, we were concerned with the impact of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were concerned with the wrong metric.

Harvard Business Review

That's not what we were concerned with".

The New York Times

As Algeria we were concerned with this proposal.

Columbia University

'We were concerned with what got Billy going,' says Peter Darling, the film's choreographer.

The Guardian - Film

Likewise, in Agency Holding we were concerned with "borrowing," in light of legislative silence on the issue, an appropriate statute of limitations period from an "analogous" statute.

Cornell University

And while they were the young avant garde of Finland, "looking back we were concerned with introducing principles to music that were already 20 years old.

The Guardian - Books

From the beginning of our correspondence with the bank we made it clear that we were concerned with the removal of historical women from our banknotes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Because we were concerned with getting a correction quickly, we couldn't afford the luxury of going up the chain of command to get a remedy.

The New York Times

I've spoken to a few people during my visit, and it seems to me that many of the problems that the state and the nation face now were things we were concerned with in my time.

University of California, Berkeley

"We were concerned with everyone's safety; the safety of us, the safety of people due to be deported, the safety of those around the plane," he told the court.

The Guardian

He blamed similar political pressures for today's guilty verdicts in the federal conspiracy trial stemming from the police assault on Abner Louima, saying, "What we were concerned with from the beginning was politics seeping into that courtroom".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by replacing "we were concerned with" with synonyms like "we focused on" or "we addressed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid vague usage of "we were concerned with" without explicitly stating the subject of concern. Instead of saying, "We were concerned with the situation", specify what aspects of the situation were concerning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were concerned with" functions as a declarative statement that indicates the focus of attention, interest, or worry of a group represented by "we". As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it sets the context for what follows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were concerned with" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a topic of focus, attention, or worry. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral to professional in tone, it's crucial to provide specific context when using this phrase to avoid vagueness. Consider using synonyms like "we focused on" or "we addressed" for variety. Be mindful of whether "concerned with" (focus) or "concerned about" (worry) better conveys your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were focused on

Implies a state of being centered on a particular subject or task.

we focused on

Emphasizes a deliberate concentration of effort or attention on a specific subject.

we were interested in

Indicates curiosity or a desire to learn more about something.

we considered

Signifies thoughtful deliberation about a topic.

we took into consideration

Highlights that something was accounted for when forming a judgement or decision.

we addressed

Suggests taking action to deal with or resolve a matter.

we investigated

Implies a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

we examined

Highlights a careful and detailed investigation of something.

we had reservations about

Indicates having doubts or unease about something.

we were anxious about

Expresses worry or nervousness about a potential outcome.

FAQs

What does "we were concerned with" mean?

The phrase "we were concerned with" indicates that a group or entity was focused on, worried about, or giving attention to a specific topic, issue, or subject.

How can I use "we were concerned with" in a sentence?

Use "we were concerned with" to introduce the subject of focus or attention, as in, "We were concerned with safety" or "We were concerned with the results".

What can I say instead of "we were concerned with"?

You can use alternatives like "we focused on", "we addressed", or "we investigated" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we were concerned with" or "we were concerned about"?

While both are grammatically correct, "we were concerned with" typically indicates a focus on a topic, while "we were concerned about" expresses worry or anxiety regarding a situation or outcome. The choice depends on the intended nuance.