were concerned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were concerned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing worry or interest regarding a particular issue or situation. Example: "The committee members were concerned to hear about the recent changes in policy that could affect the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some were concerned to keep Hollywood out, while others wanted to get the best financial deal.

The Guardian

So we were concerned to spell out enough in our bill".

The New Yorker

Catholics, on the other hand, were concerned to restore the mother's honor, and her family's.

The New Yorker

All were concerned to keep open lines of credit and to avoid undermining consumer confidence by large-scale plant closures.

The Economist

So some economists were concerned to see, deeper in Tuesday's jobs report, a softening in those sectors.

The New York Times

Another manager, Daniel O'Sullivan, said union officials passed on information about individuals as they were "concerned to prevent unnecessary disruption on site".

The Guardian

Both the alliance and David Cameron were concerned to show that the UK's rejection of the EU was not a rejection of Nato too.

The Guardian - Opinion

The officials were concerned to know whether the royals, as employers, were happy with the creation of a statutory basis for apprenticeships.

The Guardian

"They were both very upset by the arrests and were concerned to learn what kind of charges they would be facing," said Mr. Oliver.

The New York Times

"More than 50 years after the movement to close asylums and large institutions, we were concerned to find examples of outdated and sometimes institutionalised care," said Paul Lelliott, the CQC's deputy chief inspector of hospitals.

The Guardian

The watchdog's inspectors were concerned to find "delays in the initial assessment of patients, in their assessment by a doctor and in moving them to specialist wards and that there were insufficient middle grade doctors and consultants".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were concerned to" when you want to express a sense of worry, responsibility, or strong interest regarding a specific issue or action.

Common error

Avoid using "were concerned to" in very informal settings. Alternatives like "were worried about" or "were keen to" might be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were concerned to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of worry, interest, or responsibility regarding a subsequent action or state. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase correctly conveys a specific nuance of concern coupled with intent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were concerned to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that expresses worry, interest, or responsibility. As Ludwig AI shows, it often indicates a motivation to act or pay attention to a specific issue. While versatile, it leans toward the formal side, making it more suitable for professional, news, and academic contexts than casual conversation. Alternatives like "were worried about" or "were anxious to" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Use this guide to ensure accurate and effective use of "were concerned to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were anxious to

Focuses on eagerness and worry, shifting the emphasis slightly.

were eager to

Similar to "were anxious to", it indicates enthusiasm and anticipation.

were worried about

Emphasizes a state of worry regarding a particular issue.

were keen to

Highlights enthusiasm and eagerness instead of concern.

were mindful to

Stresses attentiveness and consideration in taking action.

were careful to

Emphasizes caution and diligence.

felt compelled to

Suggests a sense of obligation or necessity.

were attentive to

Highlights being observant and responsive to something.

took pains to

Emphasizes effort and care in performing an action.

made sure to

Highlights the act of ensuring something is done.

FAQs

How can I use "were concerned to" in a sentence?

You can use "were concerned to" to express worry or interest about something. For example, "The officials "were concerned to" know whether the royals were happy with the statutory basis for apprenticeships."

What are some alternatives to "were concerned to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were worried about", "were anxious to", or "were eager to".

Is "were concerned to" formal or informal?

"Were concerned to" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "were worried about".

What's the difference between "were concerned about" and "were concerned to"?

"Were concerned about" typically expresses worry or anxiety regarding a situation. "Were concerned to" implies a sense of responsibility or a proactive interest in ensuring something is done or understood.