Cool MateConcern vs There was an issue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Concern
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
There was an issue
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Concern
| Concern | There was an issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːn/","/kənˈsɜːnz/","/kənˈsɜːnd/","/kənˈsɜːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrn/","/kənˈsɜːrnz/","/kənˈsɜːrnd/","/kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeə wəz ən ˈɪʃuː//🇺🇸 //ðɛr wəz ən ˈɪʃu// |
| Meaning | a worry or issue | There was a problem |
| Example | The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. | There was an issue with the software update yesterday. |
| 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 | identify an issue, resolve an issue, discuss an issue, report 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. | Confused with 'there is an issue' when referring to a singular issue., Using 'issue' too informally when in a formal discussion., Forgetting to specify the issue, making it vague. |
| 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 indicate a problem or difficulty. It’s suitable for most contexts, but more formal situations might require specific terms. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Concern vs There was an issue
What's the difference between Concern and There was an issue?
Concern: a worry or issue There was an issue: There was a problem
Which is more common: Concern and There was 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. There was an issue: There was an issue with the software update yesterday.
Can I use Concern and There was an issue interchangeably?
Not always. Concern and There was 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.