Cool MateConcern vs That's an issue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Concern
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
That's an issue
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Concern
| Concern | That's an issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːn/","/kənˈsɜːnz/","/kənˈsɜːnd/","/kənˈsɜːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrn/","/kənˈsɜːrnz/","/kənˈsɜːrnd/","/kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ən ˈɪʃuː//🇺🇸 //ðæts ən ˈɪʃu// |
| Meaning | a worry or issue | It's a problem or concern. |
| Example | The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. | That's an issue we need to resolve before the project deadline. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | directly, mainly, mostly, in, directly, mainly, mostly, in, a lot, greatly, really | address an issue, report an issue, identify an issue, resolve an issue, discuss an issue |
| Antonyms | indifference, apathy | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'concern' as a noun and verb., Using 'concern to' instead of 'concern with' or 'about'., Mistaking 'concern' for 'care' in certain contexts. | Using 'issue' interchangeably with 'problem' without context., Saying 'that's issues' instead of 'that's an issue'., Overusing this phrase in positive contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written language. Can express personal feelings or formal issues. Avoid using in overly casual conversations. | Use this phrase to point out a problem during discussions. It works well in both formal meetings and casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Concern vs That's an issue
What's the difference between Concern and That's an issue?
Concern: a worry or issue That's an issue: It's a problem or concern.
Which is more common: Concern and That's an issue?
Concern is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Concern: The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. That's an issue: That's an issue we need to resolve before the project deadline.
Can I use Concern and That's an issue interchangeably?
Not always. Concern and That's an issue are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.