concerning
kuhn-SUR-nihng
Concerning (prep) means About; regarding; on the subject of. Example: “She had questions concerning the new policy.”
prep
1
About; regarding; on the subject of.
"Physically, everything is perfect, but concerning your mental state, you have some problems."
"She had questions concerning the new policy."
"Please send me any information concerning the trip to the museum."
"He wrote a letter to the council concerning the broken streetlight."
adj
1
Causing worry.
"It's very concerning that our neighbour seems to be crying very loudly these days."
"The test results were somewhat concerning."
"It is concerning that the baby still has a high temperature."
"The noise coming from the engine was very concerning to the driver."
How to use concerning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a preposition it means "about"; as an adjective it means "worrying."
Common mistake
Don't mix up the two uses: "concerning your email" (about) versus "the results are concerning" (worrying).
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- concernings
- Comparative
- more concerning
- Superlative
- most concerning
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She had questions _____ the new policy.
Etymology
From concern plus -ing; the preposition and adjective both grew out of the verb's meaning.
Related words
Rhymes for concerning
See all rhymes for concerning →Frequently asked questions
What does “concerning” mean?
The word “concerning” means about; regarding; on the subject of. In plain terms, as a preposition it means "about"; as an adjective it means "worrying.".
How do you pronounce “concerning”?
“Concerning” is pronounced kuhn-SUR-nihng (/kənˈsɝnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “concerning” in a sentence?
Here is “concerning” used in a sentence: “She had questions concerning the new policy.”
What is another word for “concerning”?
Words with a similar meaning to “concerning” include alarming and worrisome.
What part of speech is “concerning”?
Depending on how it is used, “concerning” can be a preposition and an adjective.
Is “concerning” a common word?
“Concerning” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “concerning” have?
“Concerning” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: about; regarding; on the subject of.
What is the difference between 'concerning' and 'regarding'?
As prepositions, 'concerning' and 'regarding' both mean 'about' or 'on the subject of' and are largely interchangeable in formal writing. 'Regarding' is slightly more common in business and correspondence, while 'concerning' can sound a touch more formal or old-fashioned.
When should you use 'concerning' instead of 'about'?
'Concerning' is more formal than 'about' and suits official letters, reports, and academic writing, as in 'questions concerning the budget.' In everyday conversation, 'about' is usually the more natural choice.
Is it correct to use 'concerning' to mean worrying?
Yes, 'concerning' is now widely accepted as an adjective meaning causing worry, as in 'the results are concerning.' This usage has become common in modern English, though some traditional style guides still prefer 'worrying' or 'troubling.'
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