What is concerned? Pronunciation and usage in English

concerned means . Learn how to pronounce and use concerned through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of concerned

concernedadjective

/kənˈsəːnd/
Definition & pronunciation of concerned

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "concerned." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "con": This sounds like "con" as in "connect" - /kən/ (short 'uh' sound)
  • "cern": This is where it gets a little tricky. It's a diphthong, meaning it's a combination of two vowel sounds that glide into each other. It sounds like "sern" (like the name "Serena") – /sɜrn/

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is pronounced: /kənˈsɜrn/

Let's break that down further:

  • kən – as we discussed (short "uh" sound)
  • ˈsɜrn – This is the stressed syllable. The 'r' sound is very important and slightly rolled (more on that below). The 'ɜrn' part sounds like "sern" as in Serena.

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • The "r" sound: Don't be afraid of the "r"! It's a retroflex 'r' – meaning your tongue curls slightly back in your mouth. It's not as pronounced as an American 'r'. You can often approximate it by saying the "r" softly, almost like a "d." (But don't overdo it - it shouldn’t be too aggressive.)
  • Emphasis: The stress is on the second syllable ("sɜrn"). This is key to getting the pronunciation right.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "concerned" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/concerned/ (This site has recordings by native speakers from different regions.)
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce concerned" – you'll find many videos.

Here's a quick summary:

Con-ern (rhymes with “Serena”)

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you a sentence using the word "concerned"?

Usage and examples with the word concerned in English

Let's break down how to use the word "concerned" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with slightly different shades of meaning.

1. As an Adjective (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: Feeling worried, anxious, or troubled about something. It expresses a thoughtful, careful feeling about a situation.

  • Examples:

    • "I'm concerned about his health." (I'm worried about his health.)
    • "The doctor was concerned by the patient's symptoms." (The doctor was worried by the symptoms.)
    • "She's concerned about the rising cost of living." (She’s worried about the increase in prices.)
    • "I’m concerned that you haven't finished the report.” (I'm worried that you haven't finished the report.)

2. As a Verb (Less Common, More Formal)

  • Meaning: To express worry, anxiety, or unease; to show that you are troubled.

  • Examples:

    • "I'm concerned about the future of the project." (I'm expressing worry about the project's future.) – Notice the passive voice.
    • "The authorities were concerned about the safety of the public.” (The authorities were expressing worry about public safety.)

3. “Concerned with…” (Phrasal Verb)

  • Meaning: Relating to or invested in something. It describes something that's a priority or important.

  • Examples:

    • "He’s concerned with ethical issues in business." (He’s interested in or focused on ethical issues.)
    • "The project team is concerned with delivering the product on time.” (The project team's focus is on delivering the product on time.)

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • “Worried” vs. “Concerned”: “Worried” often implies a more immediate, emotional feeling of anxiety. “Concerned” suggests a more thoughtful and rational assessment of a situation. You might be worried about a child’s scraped knee, but concerned about the long-term development of a country.

  • Formality: "Concerned" is generally considered more formal than "worried."

Here’s a table to summarise:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Feeling worried/anxious I'm concerned about the weather.
Verb Expressing worry/unease I'm concerned that we're behind schedule.
Phrasal Verb Related to/invested in He's concerned with sustainability.

Tips for Using “Concerned” Effectively:

  • Consider your audience: "Worried" might be more appropriate in casual conversation.
  • Be specific: Instead of just saying “I’m concerned,” try to explain what you’re concerned about. (“I’m concerned about the lack of funding.”)
  • Combine with other words: "I’m seriously concerned," "I'm deeply concerned," "I'm mildly concerned" – adding adverbs can give you more precision.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • In what kind of context are you planning to use the word "concerned"? (e.g., a formal letter, a casual conversation, a written essay?)

Synonyms for the word concerned

Idioms of the word concerned

as/so far as I am concerned
used to give your personal opinion on something
  • As far as I am concerned, you can do what you like.
as/so far as somebody/something is concerned
used to give facts or an opinion about a particular aspect of something
  • She's doing fine as far as French is concerned, it's her German I'm worried about.

Practice with vocabulary concerned

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many stakeholders are deeply ________ about the environmental impact of the new factory.
  2. The committee ________ with budget allocation will meet next week to finalize the proposals.
  3. The recent market volatility has made investors rather ________ about their portfolios.
  4. The new regulations are primarily ________ to data privacy, not cybersecurity.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The board of directors is highly ________ about the declining sales figures and is seeking immediate solutions. A. concerned B. uninterested C. jubilant D. apprehensive

  2. The department ________ with international trade policy will review the new tariffs. A. involved B. concerned C. dismissive D. tangential

  3. The study primarily ________ climate change mitigation strategies, offering solutions for a sustainable future. A. addresses B. disregards C. focuses on D. is concerned with

  4. His tone was quite ________, indicating deep worry about the outcome of the critical operation. A. nonchalant B. agitated C. serene D. distressed

  5. The legal team presented arguments ________ to the contract's validity, strengthening their case considerably. A. irrelevant B. pertaining C. extraneous D. germane

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "concerned": She felt a strong sense of worry regarding the outcome of her job interview.
  2. Rewrite using "concerned": The issues that directly relate to customer satisfaction are being addressed by the task force.
  3. Rewrite without using "concerned": He was very anxious about the upcoming difficult negotiations.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. concerned
  2. concerned
  3. uneasy
  4. pertaining

Exercise 2:

  1. A, D
  2. A, B
  3. A, C, D
  4. B, D
  5. B, D

Exercise 3:

  1. She was deeply concerned about the outcome of her job interview.
  2. The issues concerned with customer satisfaction are being addressed by the task force.
  3. He was highly apprehensive about the upcoming difficult negotiations.

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