2 syllables: con, cerns. Stress on cerns.
kuhn-SURNZ
/kəˈnsɝnz/
concerns is pronounced kuhn-SURNZ (/kəˈnsɝnz/). It has two syllables (con-cerns), with the stress on "cerns". Concerns refers to worries or matters of interest about a particular subject or situation. It can denote both a feeling of care or interest and a formal issue or point under discussion. In everyday use, it often signals that something requires attention or reassurance, or signals the topics someone is concerned about.
Concerns refers to worries or matters of interest about a particular subject or situation. It can denote both a feeling of care or interest and a formal issue or point under discussion. In everyday use, it often signals that something requires attention or reassurance, or signals the topics someone is concerned about.
"There are several concerns about the safety of the new policy."
"Her main concerns were cost and practicality."
"We addressed all concerns during the Q&A session."
It’s pronounced with three sounds: /kənˈsɜːnz/ in UK/US pronunciation; in US it’s /kənˈsɜrnz/. The stress is on the second syllable: con-CERNS. Start with a light, schwa-like initial /kən/, then a clear /ˈsɜː/ or /ˈsɜr/ depending on the accent, and finish with a voiced /nz/ cluster. Practice slow: kən-ˈsɜrnz, then speed up while keeping the vowel steady and the final z voiced.”,
Common errors include pronouncing it as /ˈkɒnsərnz/ or /kənˈsərnz/ by misplacing the stress; merging /ˌsɜr/ with a reduced vowel or dropping the final z, resulting in /ˈkənˌsɜrn/ or /kənˈsɜːn/. Another frequent slip is replacing the rhotic /r/ with a non-rhotic vowel in US contexts, leading to /kənˈsɛnz/ or /kənˈsɜnz/. Correction: keep the stressed /ɜː/ or /ɜr/ in the second syllable and ensure the final /z/ is voiced and audible.”,
In US English, the second syllable carries strong /ˈsɜrnz/ with rhotic /r/; the final consonant is a voiced /z/. UK English often shows /ˈsɜːnz/ with a longer monophthong in /ɜː/ and non-rhotic influence on surrounding vowels, though the /r/ is not pronounced after a vowel in some variants. Australian English tends toward /kənˈsɜːnz/ with a clear /ɜː/ and less vowel reduction in rapid speech; the final /z/ remains voiced. Overall, stress remains on the second syllable; vowel qualities vary subtly with rhoticity and vowel length.”,
Two main challenges: the stressed mid-vowel in the second syllable, which can shift in fast speech or non-native articulation, and the final /nz/ cluster, where the voicing of /z/ should align with the preceding /n/. Some speakers may reduce the /ɜː/ to a schwa /ɜ/ or /ə/ or drop the final z in rapid speech. Focus on sustaining the second-syllable vowel and producing a clear /nz/ blend to avoid a trailing, clipped ending.”,
Unique to concerns is keeping the exact sequence con-CERNS with no vowel changes that would make it sound like 'cons’ or 'consealers.' The two consonant clusters /kən/ and /sɜːr/ must stay distinct, with the /r/ pronounced in rhotic accents and sometimes less pronounced in non-rhotic variants. Also, ensure the final /z/ is voiced, not a voiceless /s/. Practicing with minimal pairs like ‘consequential’ vs. ‘concerns’ can highlight the emphasized second syllable and the /nz/ ending.”,
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "concerns"!
Concerns comes from the verb concern, from Old French concerner, to relate to, to affect, from Latin concerner(e), from com- (together) + cercare (to search, to go about, to trouble). The noun form emerged in English in the 14th century, initially meaning ‘relationship, involvement; interest in something’ and gradually shifted toward the meaning ‘a matter of interest or importance, a worry or anxiety.’ The sense of ‘topics of interest or trouble one is worried about’ became dominant in Modern English. Through Middle English to Early Modern English, the word adopted a broader sense of social or personal significance, with typical collocations like ‘security concerns,’ ‘public concerns,’ and ‘safety concerns.’ By the 18th–19th centuries, concerns was established in formal and informal registers to denote matters that require attention, action, or reassurance, while retaining psychological nuance (worry, care). Today it often appears in policy discourse, journalism, and everyday speech to flag issues, anxieties, or points of interest that deserve discussion or remedy.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "concerns" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "concerns" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "concerns" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "concerns"
-nt) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
