Concern

Express concern

Many doctors have expressed deep concern about the  safety of this new drug.

Cause concern

The build-up of enemy troops on the country's southern border is causing great concern.

Appreciate concern

I appreciate your concern, but don't worry - I'm all right. I know what I'm doing.

Grow concern

Public concern is growing over the number of children who leave school without any kind of formal qualification.

Share concern

 The headmaster and the staff share your concern about what happened on the trip to the zoo. We must make sure something like this never happens again.

Override concern

Our concern for the safety of the children must override all other concerns.

 

We view the situation developing in the Middle East with grave concern.

The little girl hasn't been seen for two days and there is now growing concern for her safety.

The availability of drugs in schools is of great concern to parents.

There is widespread concern over rising crime rates in our cities.

 

As CEO my major concern is to make this company more efficient.

As aid workers, our overriding concern is to care for the hungry and the homeless.

The Chancellor's primary concern is to reduce inflation and improve the economy.

This hospital's main concern is to improve the quality of care to our patients.

 

His only concern was that he couldn't get into his new Gucci trainers!''

Notes

I. In I-1 you can also use raise or voice. Other verbs used with concern are brush aside and reject:

The airline brushed aside concerns about the safety of its ageing fleet of planes.

2. Notice these expressions:

My private life is no concern of yours.

Your private life is of no concern to me.

I'd keep out of this argument if I were you. It's a family matter and it's none of your concern.

3. Note the following

was surprised and angered by his lack of concern for his sick mother.

You've been given the all-clear. The test results were negative, so there's no cause for concern.

In his speech, he said that global pollution should be a matter of concern to us all.

4. Note how we express doubt about something:

My only concern about Beckham is whether he'll be fit to play on Saturday.

5. If we want to talk about our main concern, we can use sole or only:

The safety of the hostages is our sole concern.

Our only concern is for the safety of the hostages.