were extremely concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were extremely concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something caused significant worry or anxiety in the past. Example: "The results of the study were extremely concerning, indicating a potential health crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He said the reports on the potential changes to the federal program were "extremely concerning".

The Guardian

Labor's acting immigration spokesman, Matt Thistlethwaite, said the reports were "extremely concerning".

The Guardian

Vicki Nash, head of policy and campaigns at the mental health charity Mind, said the UN findings were extremely concerning but came as no surprise.

The Guardian

Greens senator Sarah HansaidYoung said the unconfirmed reports that those on board had been handed to the Sri Lankan navy were "extremely concerning".

The Guardian

The shadow communities secretary, Andrew Gwynne, said the findings were extremely concerning and emphasised "just how important it is that we all make a conscious effort to call out and confront antisemitism".

The Guardian

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said his actions were "extremely concerning".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Nearly half said they were "extremely concerned" about Northwest's handling of the matter.

The New York Times

The local student landlords Q Student objected as well, saying that several tenants were "extremely concerned".

The Guardian

Chairwoman Professor Mireille Fanon-Mendes France said the committee were "extremely concerned about the human rights situation of African-Americans".

Independent

Christine Storey, president of the Lancashire Association of School Governing Bodies, said governors were "extremely concerned" about the implications of their schools becoming academies and taken aback by the lack of contact from Gove.

The Guardian

"It sounded good when Aetna made a splash about how they'd made a settlement, but when we got to look at the details, we were extremely concerned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were extremely concerning", ensure the context clearly identifies what specifically caused the concern. Providing specifics strengthens the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "were extremely concerning" within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "were deeply troubling" or "raised serious concerns" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "were extremely concerning" is to act as a predicate adjective, describing the subject and expressing a state of worry or alarm. Ludwig AI indicates correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were extremely concerning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey significant worry or alarm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively communicates the seriousness of a situation or finding. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "were deeply troubling" or "raised serious concerns" to maintain writing quality. Remember to specify the cause of concern for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were deeply troubling

Changes "extremely concerning" to "deeply troubling", altering the intensity slightly.

were highly alarming

Replaces "extremely concerning" with "highly alarming", emphasizing the urgency and potential danger.

were gravely worrying

Substitutes "extremely concerning" with "gravely worrying", adding a sense of seriousness.

were a major cause for concern

Rephrases the concern as a "major cause", shifting the focus to the reason for worry.

raised serious concerns

Modifies the structure to "raised serious concerns", changing the active voice.

were exceptionally disturbing

Replaces "extremely concerning" with "exceptionally disturbing", focusing on the unsettling nature.

were reason for significant alarm

Transforms the expression to "were reason for significant alarm", highlighting the potential danger and urgency.

inspired considerable unease

Alters the wording to "inspired considerable unease", focusing on the feeling of discomfort generated.

were a serious source of anxiety

Changes to "were a serious source of anxiety", underlining the emotional impact.

were grounds for significant disquiet

Rephrases as "were grounds for significant disquiet", emphasizing the disturbance to peace of mind.

FAQs

What does "were extremely concerning" mean?

The phrase "were extremely concerning" indicates that something caused a significant amount of worry, anxiety, or alarm. It suggests that the matter was viewed as serious and potentially problematic.

How can I use "were extremely concerning" in a sentence?

You can use "were extremely concerning" to describe findings, reports, or situations that caused significant worry. For example, "The results of the audit "were extremely concerning", revealing widespread financial mismanagement."

What are some alternatives to "were extremely concerning"?

Alternatives include "were deeply troubling", "raised serious concerns", or were highly alarming depending on the specific context and desired intensity.

Is it appropriate to use "were extremely concerning" in formal writing?

Yes, "were extremely concerning" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports, academic papers, or business communications, when conveying a serious level of worry or concern. Consider using synonyms to avoid repetition.