- Have you ever wondered why native speakers say they “voice concerns” instead of “speak concerns”?
- Do you struggle to choose between “concerned about,” “concerned with,” or “concerned for”?
- Are you looking for more professional ways to express worry or interest in a business meeting?
Mastering Concern collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, words don’t live in isolation; they travel in “word partnerships” called collocations. Using the right combinations makes you sound more natural, reduces your “Language Anxiety,” and ensures your message is clear and professional in any global context.
Common Collocations with Concern as a Verb
When used as a verb, “concern” typically means to relate to something or to cause someone to feel worried. It is frequently used in both active and passive forms.
1. Expressing Relationship or Scope
These collocations describe what a topic or document is about.
- Primarily concern: The report primarily concerns the budget cuts for next year.
- Directly concern: This new policy directly concerns every employee in the building.
- As far as [someone] is concerned: As far as I’m concerned, the project is already a success.
2. Describing Worry (The Passive Form)
In modern English, we often use the passive “to be concerned” to describe an emotional state.
- Deeply concerned: The doctors are deeply concerned about the patient’s slow recovery.
- Seriously concerned: Shareholders are seriously concerned by the drop in stock prices.
- Increasingly concerned: Parents are becoming increasingly concerned about social media usage.
3. Verb + Preposition Patterns
Choosing the right preposition changes the meaning of the sentence entirely.
- Concerned about: Used for worry. (e.g., “She is concerned about the climate.”)
- Concerned with: Used for involvement or focus. (e.g., “The committee is concerned with improving safety.”)
Essential Collocations using Concern as a Noun
As a noun, “concern” refers to a feeling of worry, a matter of importance, or a business. Using the right adjectives and verbs with the noun form is key for high-level SEO and academic writing.
1. Adjectives Used with Concern
These adjectives help you describe the level or intensity of the worry.
- Grave concern: Used for very serious situations. (e.g., “The lack of clean water is a grave concern.”)
- Growing concern: Used when a problem is getting bigger. (e.g., “There is growing concern over inflation.”)
- Legitimate concern: Used when the worry is valid or justified. (e.g., “The residents have legitimate concerns about the noise.”)
- Primary concern: The most important thing. (e.g., “Our primary concern is the safety of the passengers.”)
2. Verbs Used with the Noun Concern
These collocations describe the action taken regarding a worry.
- Express concern: To tell someone you are worried. (e.g., “He expressed concern regarding the deadline.”)
- Raise concerns: To bring a problem to people’s attention. (e.g., “The audit raised concerns about the company’s spending.”)
- Address concerns: To deal with or solve the problem. (e.g., “The manager promised to address our concerns immediately.”)
- Dismiss concerns: To treat a worry as if it is not important. (e.g., “The government dismissed concerns about the new law.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Deeply concerned | Verb (Passive/Adj) | Very worried about something. |
| Grave concern | Noun + Adjective | A very serious worry. |
| Express concern | Verb + Noun | To communicate that you are worried. |
| As far as I’m concerned | Idiomatic Phrase | In my opinion / From my perspective. |
| Address concerns | Verb + Noun | To resolve or respond to worries. |
| Concerned with | Verb + Preposition | Deals with or is focused on a topic. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
To avoid sounding like a translation bot, pay attention to these common learner errors. Native speakers prioritize specific “chunks” of language over literal translations.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I have a big concern. | I have a serious concern. |
| I am concerning about the weather. | I am concerned about the weather. |
| To who it concerns. | To whom it may concern. |
| He gave his concerns. | He voiced his concerns / He expressed his concerns. |
Contextual Story
“To: All Staff. Subject: Project Update. I am writing to you today because I am deeply concerned about our current progress. While I understand the technical difficulties, the delay has raised concerns among our board members. Our primary concern is meeting the client’s expectations by Friday. We will hold a meeting at 2 PM to address concerns regarding the timeline. As far as I’m concerned, we still have enough time to succeed if we work together.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Concern Collocations
What is the difference between “concerned about” and “concerned with”?
“Concerned about” indicates worry or anxiety (e.g., “I’m concerned about the economy”). “Concerned with” indicates that a person or thing is focused on or involved in a topic (e.g., “Linguistics is concerned with the study of language”).
Is “To whom it may concern” still used in 2024?
Yes, it is still used in formal business letters when you do not know the name of the recipient. However, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department] Team” is often preferred in modern digital communication to sound less archaic.
Can I say “It’s a big concern”?
While “big” is grammatically correct, it sounds slightly informal. For better SEO and professional impact, use “major concern,” “significant concern,” or “serious concern.”
Is “concern” a countable or uncountable noun?
It can be both. Use it as an uncountable noun for a general feeling of worry (“There is much concern”). Use it as a countable noun when referring to specific issues (“I have two main concerns”).
What is a “going concern” in business?
This is a specific technical collocation in accounting and business. A “going concern” is a company that has the resources needed to continue operating indefinitely and is not at risk of going bankrupt.
This was super helpful for my upcoming job interview! I need to sound professional, and knowing these specific collocations with 'concern' will make a big difference. Thank you!
That's wonderful to hear, Sophie! We're delighted to know this article can contribute to your success in your job interview. Sounding professional and natural is key, and mastering collocations like those with 'concern' will undoubtedly make a positive impression. We wish you the very best of luck!
Can 'concern' also be a noun? How would its collocations change then? For example, 'to express concern'?
That's a very insightful follow-up question, Chen! Yes, 'concern' is very commonly used as a noun, and it indeed has its own set of important collocations. You hit on a great one: 'to express concern' is a classic. Others include 'to raise concerns,' 'to show concern,' 'a matter of concern,' 'deep concern,' or 'primary concern.' These phrases often involve verbs that describe how concern is communicated or what kind of concern it is. We plan to cover noun collocations of 'concern' in a future article, so stay tuned!
My English professor always says 'words don't live in isolation.' This article perfectly illustrates that point. It's not just about knowing a word, but knowing its friends!
What a fantastic analogy from your professor, Ben – 'knowing its friends' perfectly captures the essence of collocations! We couldn't agree more. Language is a social system, and words thrive in partnerships. Keep thinking of words and their 'friends,' and your English will become incredibly natural and nuanced!
I teach English in Morocco, and collocations are one of the biggest challenges for my students. This article is excellent because it gives clear examples. Do you have more resources focused on business English collocations?
Fatima, we're so glad to hear this is valuable for your students! We understand the challenge collocations present. Yes, Translateen.com has a dedicated section for Business English, and we frequently publish articles on professional vocabulary and collocations. We encourage you to explore our blog categories or use the search function for topics like 'business collocations,' 'meeting phrases,' or 'email etiquette.' We're committed to providing practical resources for you and your students!
Is there a difference in formality between 'as far as I'm concerned' and 'in my opinion'? Sometimes I use them interchangeably.
That's a great observation, Liam! While both express personal opinion, there's a subtle difference. 'In my opinion' is a more neutral and universally polite way to introduce your view. 'As far as I'm concerned' can sometimes carry a slightly stronger, more emphatic, or even slightly dismissive tone, implying 'this is my view, regardless of what others think.' It's perfect for asserting a stance but should be used carefully to avoid sounding confrontational. Both are formal enough for business, but 'in my opinion' is generally safer for milder disagreement.
Thank you for explaining why 'voice concerns' is correct! I always wondered about that. This really makes me think about other verbs I might be misusing with common nouns.
You're very welcome, Sven! That's precisely the kind of linguistic curiosity we aim to spark. Recognizing these 'fixed expressions' is fundamental to sounding like a native speaker. Keep that critical eye open for other verb + noun collocations – there are many to discover, and each one improves your fluency!
The article cut off at the passive form for 'worry.' Can you elaborate a bit more on 'to be concerned about/with/for' and how often these are used in daily conversations versus formal settings?
Excellent point, Maria! You're right, the summary provided only a snippet. 'To be concerned about/with/for' are indeed incredibly common in both daily conversation and formal settings. 'To be concerned about [something]' is the most versatile for general worry ('I'm concerned about the weather'). 'To be concerned with [something]' is used when focusing on a topic or something you're involved with ('The committee is concerned with policy implementation'). And as we discussed, 'to be concerned for [someone/something]' refers to well-being ('She was concerned for his safety'). They are all pillars of natural English communication across various contexts!
I'm still a bit confused about the difference between 'concerned about' and 'concerned with' when talking about a topic. For instance, 'The book is concerned about...' or 'The book is concerned with...' Which is better for describing what a book is about?
Thanks for asking for clarification, Aisha! This is a common point of confusion. When describing what a book, report, or study is *about*, 'concerned with' is generally the more appropriate choice. For example: 'The book is concerned with the socio-economic impact of technology.' 'Concerned about' is typically reserved for expressing worry or anxiety, often about an issue or problem. So, 'The author is concerned about the impact of technology' expresses worry, while the book itself *deals with* or *is concerned with* the topic. Hope that helps clarify!
Are there any common mistakes native speakers make with 'concern' collocations, or is it mostly a learner-specific challenge?
That's a fascinating question, Diego! While 'concern' collocations are primarily a challenge for English learners, native speakers can occasionally make minor slips, especially in very formal or highly specific contexts. For example, some might casually use 'concerned with' when 'concerned about' would be more precise for a general worry, though it's often understood. However, the core 'word partnerships' are deeply ingrained for native speakers. Your awareness of these nuances is what sets an advanced learner apart!
Another great article from Translateen! The concept of 'word partnerships' is so crucial for fluency. I've noticed many advanced learners still struggle with this, often because they focus too much on individual words.
Thank you, Olga! We completely agree that 'word partnerships' are a cornerstone of fluent and natural English. Your observation about advanced learners is very astute; it's a common hurdle. By focusing on chunks of language rather than isolated words, learners can make significant progress. We appreciate your insightful comment!