widening concern about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widening concern about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing increasing levels of worry or anxiety regarding a particular issue or topic. Example: "There is a widening concern about the impact of climate change on global food security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The increasing opposition among Roman Catholic clergymen to the church's traditional defense of the status quo provided one clear sign of widening concern about the problem of social injustice in El Salvador.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I am deeply disappointed with the discussion and by your failure to recognise that the turmoil after the referendum vote, a likely autumn election, the responsibility to hold the Labour party together and the very wide – and ever widening – concerns about your leadership require a fresh leadership election.

The Guardian

The Glazer-imposed £716m debts revealed at Manchester United, with £340m having gone out of the club in interest and fees since 2005, and Portsmouth's jaw-dropping insolvency, have certainly widened concern about the way football is run from a hardy corps of the well-informed to the mainstream.

The Guardian - Sport

One case that triggered alarm involved Taylor Hooton, 17, of Plano, Tex., whose 2003 suicide widened concerns about high school students' use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition to widening our concerns about differences in access, scholars have also began to pay attention to the different ways people use the same technology, as well as what sorts of skills are required to make use of the technologies effectively.

Huffington Post

Yet, as inequality has widened and concerns about it have grown, the competitive school, viewing individual returns in terms of marginal product, has become increasingly unable to explain how the economy works.

The Guardian - Business

Shares of Digital Island Inc., a maker of audio and video transmission software, fell $6.5625, to $38.0625, yesterday after an analyst expressed concern about widening losses.

The New York Times

The Commission on SDH, set up by the World Health Organization to respond to the concern about widening inequities worldwide, has in its report called for action on SDH by improving daily living conditions; tackling the inequitable distribution of power, money, and resources; measuring and understanding the problem; and assessing the impact of action (7).

Global Health Action

Among Cubans of all races, there is growing concern about a widening economic divide that is also racial.

The New York Times

Some donors also expressed concern about a widening money imbalance between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton Obamaa fund-raisers say he is taking in roughly $1 million a day, while Clinton fund-raisers say she is taking in about half of that, mostly online.

The New York Times

"On the other hand, any plan to widen it raises concerns about drinking water safety.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widening concern about", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern and why it is expanding.

Common error

Avoid using "widening concern about" when the concern is actually decreasing or remaining stagnant. The phrase specifically indicates an increase or expansion of worry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widening concern about" functions as a descriptor highlighting an increasing level of worry or anxiety related to a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to convey growing apprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widening concern about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate an increasing level of worry or anxiety regarding a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure the context supports the idea of an expanding concern. Alternatives include "growing anxiety regarding" or "increasing apprehension concerning". Ensure that the context accurately reflects a growing sense of unease, and specify what exactly is causing the increased concern. Finally, it is important to note that 'widening' refers to scope and not necessarily intensity. It is recommended to use this expression in a professional or neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rising concern over

Replaces 'widening' with 'rising' to indicate increasing worry.

Broadening worries about

Synonymous, replacing concern with 'worries' and widening with broadening.

Growing anxiety regarding

Replaces 'concern' with 'anxiety' and 'about' with 'regarding', emphasizing the emotional aspect.

Intensifying alarm over

Emphasizes a stronger sense of urgency and potential danger.

Increasing apprehension concerning

Uses more formal vocabulary like 'apprehension' and 'concerning'.

Escalating unease over

Highlights the rising level of discomfort or disquiet about something.

Heightened awareness of

Shifts the focus to increased recognition of an issue, rather than just worry.

Growing unease relating to

Replaces 'concern' with 'unease' and 'about' with 'relating to', indicating worry.

Mounting disquietude regarding

Employs more literary terms such as 'disquietude'.

Expansion of worries on

Focuses on the spread of anxiety over something.

FAQs

How can I use "widening concern about" in a sentence?

You can use "widening concern about" to describe an increasing level of worry or anxiety regarding a particular issue. For example, "There is a "widening concern about" the impact of climate change on coastal communities".

What's a good alternative to "widening concern about"?

Alternatives include "growing anxiety regarding", "increasing apprehension concerning", or "heightened awareness of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever wrong to use the phrase "widening concern about"?

Yes, avoid using "widening concern about" if the level of concern is not actually increasing. Ensure the context supports the idea of expansion or growth in worry.

What does "widening concern about" imply?

The phrase "widening concern about" implies that the issue is not only a cause for worry, but that the worry is becoming more prevalent or affecting a larger group of people.