“Concern” vs. “Be Concerned About”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “concern” and “be concerned about”

  • While concern is a noun or verb, be concerned about is a phrasal verb that expresses an ongoing state of worry.
  • Concern can be both positive or negative, while be concerned about is generally interpreted as a negative state.
  • Concern suggests a more passive emotion, while be concerned about implies a more active need to address the source of anxiety.
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What is the definition of “concern” and “be concerned about”?

Concern
  • Concern refers to a feeling of worry or anxiety about something.
  • It can be a noun or a verb, implying either a state of mind or an action taken.
  • A concern can be anything from a minor issue to a significant problem that affects one's well-being.
Be concerned about
  • Be concerned about is a phrasal verb that means to be worried about something or someone.
  • It implies a more active engagement than the simple noun concern.
  • Be concerned about can apply to any situation or person that gives rise to anxiety or distress.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Concern” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Concern
1,060,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I have a concern about the safety of the proposed plan.
  2. The company expressed their concerns regarding the project’s profitability.
  3. My main concern is to deliver the project on time.
Be concerned about
22,900,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. We should be concerned about the impact of climate change on our planet.
  2. He is concerned about his daughter's academic performance.
  3. The manager is concerned about the sales figures of the company.
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