Concern

Aim: This exercise is to help you to use concern correctly.

Different ways of using ‘concern’
 

1. Concern – countable / uncountable noun
   Meaning: a reason to worry, or a business organisation
   e.g. Crime is a matter of public concern.
   e.g. Concerns about terrorism are misplaced: you are more likely to be hit by lightening than killed by a terrorist.
   e.g. A business that makes a profit is known as 'a going concern'.
    
2. Concern – transitive verb; i.e. a verb that must have an object
   e.g. The tax changes will concern (meaning = affect/ involve) everyone.
   N.B. In some cases the verb cannot be used in the passive.
   e.g. The fact that she smokes so much concerns (meaning = worries) me.
   The story concerns (meaning = is about) a man with two heads.
   As far as he's concerned (about this) (meaning = affected / involved), it doesn't matter.
    
3. Concerned – adjective
   Meaning = worried about
   e.g. University graduates are concerned about their chances of finding suitable jobs.
   e.g. Concerned parents approached the school about the problem.
    
4. Concerning – formal preposition
   A preposition meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
   e.g. This report should include all the facts concerning the accident.

Exercise
Choose the correct word from the drop-down list: