what is concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing worry or unease about a particular issue or situation. Example: "What is concerning is the rising number of cases in the community, which could indicate a larger problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

What is concerning is the defensive personnel.

The New York Times

That is what is concerning everyone".

The New York Times

They don't really know why and that's what is concerning.

The Guardian - Sport

What is concerning is the constant low-level thrum of anxiety following Ms Davies' advice would bring on.

Independent

"And what is concerning is that it is largely restricted to men who have sex with men.

The New York Times - Health

What is concerning is that the decision had nothing to do with sales but was taken by a small group of students with a strong agenda.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In the latter situation, what is concerned is the discriminatory character of the legislation.

Wikipedia

What was concerning for Dallas is that all their worst fears came true and more.

Independent

What was concerning a decade ago is critical now.

Huffington Post

This is what particularism is concerned to rebut.

SEP

That's what we're concerned with today: what was said during those 18 minutes?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is concerning", ensure that the subject of concern is clearly defined and directly related to the context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "what is concerning" in very informal settings; opt for more casual alternatives like "what I'm worried about" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is concerning" functions as a clause acting as a subject complement or a sentence introducer, highlighting a specific worry or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is concerning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing worry or highlighting a specific issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's well-suited for news, professional, and academic contexts. While versatile, avoid overuse in very informal settings. Consider alternatives such as "what is troubling" or "what is worrying" for nuanced expression or informal communication. This phrase's usage underscores its effectiveness in formally introducing problems within broader discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is of concern

Uses a slightly more formal tone to express worry or importance.

what is troubling

Focuses on the disturbing or unsettling nature of something.

what is worrying

Highlights the anxiety or apprehension caused by something.

what is alarming

Emphasizes the potential danger or seriousness of a situation.

a major concern is

Indicates that the mentioned thing is one of the top worries.

what is significant

Indicates the importance or consequence of something.

what is noteworthy

Draws attention to something deserving of notice or attention.

what is important

Stresses the value or relevance of something.

the real issue is

Emphasizes the true or underlying problem.

the problem is

Directly states the issue that causes difficulty or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "what is concerning" in a sentence?

You can use "what is concerning" to introduce a specific problem or worry. For example, "What is concerning is the lack of funding for the project."

What are some alternatives to "what is concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "what is troubling", "what is worrying", or "what is alarming" depending on the context.

Is "what is concerning" formal or informal?

"What is concerning" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news articles, reports, and professional communications.

What's the difference between "what is concerning" and "what is of concern"?

The phrase "what is of concern" is a slightly more formal and emphatic way of expressing the same idea as "what is concerning".