Cool MateConcern vs There's an issue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Concern
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
There's an issue
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Concern
| Concern | There's an issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːn/","/kənˈsɜːnz/","/kənˈsɜːnd/","/kənˈsɜːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrn/","/kənˈsɜːrnz/","/kənˈsɜːrnd/","/kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeəz ən ˈɪʃuː//🇺🇸 //ðɛrz ən ˈɪʃu// |
| Meaning | a worry or issue | There is a problem. |
| Example | The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. | There's an issue with the report that needs to be addressed. |
| 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 | raise an issue, address an issue, discuss an issue, identify an issue, resolve 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. | Omitting 'there's' and using only 'an issue' which sounds incomplete., Using more casual language which may not fit the context., Confusing 'issue' with 'problem' in formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written language. Can express personal feelings or formal issues. Avoid using in overly casual conversations. | Commonly used in discussions or meetings to address problems. Avoid in very informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Concern vs There's an issue
What's the difference between Concern and There's an issue?
Concern: a worry or issue There's an issue: There is a problem.
Which is more common: Concern and There'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. There's an issue: There's an issue with the report that needs to be addressed.
Can I use Concern and There's an issue interchangeably?
Not always. Concern and There'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.