Post by Thoithoi O'Cottage on Jul 9, 2014 0:43:15 GMT 5.5
Since it was first used in the 15th century, "concerning" has always been functioning as a preposition in the sense of
as in
However, in recent years "concerning" has acquired an adjectival functionality quite so popular that OED has added its adjectival definition--"causing anxiety; worrying" with these examples:
In fact the English stem "concern" (verb) in the sense of "worry" first registered in the 17th century, and its derivative "concerning" was first used as adjective in the sense of "anxiety-causing" as erarly as 1740 by Samuel Richardson in his novel Pamela.
Many current literary writers has adopted this use of "concerning". For example, in an article on "authors' incomes collapse to abject levels" in the Guardian earlier today, Alison Flood quotes the chief executive of ALCS, Owen Atkinson, saying
Thus, "concerning" is now quite popularly (particularly in American speech) used to describe anything that causes concern, quite in the sense of
I'll conclude this pist with this example:
about
apropos,
apropos of
as for
as regards
as respects
as to
dealing with
in connection with
of
on
on the subject of
re
referring to
regarding
relating to
respecting
touching
toward(s)
with reference to
with regard to
with respect to
as in
1.1 There is some confusion concerning his whereabouts.
1.2 dreadful stories concerning a horrible beast
However, in recent years "concerning" has acquired an adjectival functionality quite so popular that OED has added its adjectival definition--"causing anxiety; worrying" with these examples:
2.1 I find many of the comments very concerning.
2.2 a concerning breach of security
In fact the English stem "concern" (verb) in the sense of "worry" first registered in the 17th century, and its derivative "concerning" was first used as adjective in the sense of "anxiety-causing" as erarly as 1740 by Samuel Richardson in his novel Pamela.
3. “Well,” said he, “if you won’t eat with me, drink at least with me.”
I drank two glasses by his over-persuasions, and said, “I am really ashamed of myself.”
“Why, indeed,” said he, “my dear girl, I am not a very dreadful enemy, I hope! I cannot bear any thing that is the least concerning to you.”
Many current literary writers has adopted this use of "concerning". For example, in an article on "authors' incomes collapse to abject levels" in the Guardian earlier today, Alison Flood quotes the chief executive of ALCS, Owen Atkinson, saying
4. These are concerning times for writers.
Thus, "concerning" is now quite popularly (particularly in American speech) used to describe anything that causes concern, quite in the sense of
alarming
bothersome
disquieting
distressing
disturbing
nerve-racking
perturbing
scary
troubling
unsettling
upsetting
worrisome
worrying
I'll conclude this pist with this example:
5. It is very much concerning that the literary novel as an art work and a narrative art form central to our culture is indeed dying before our eyes, because the hallmark of our contemporary culture is an active resistance to difficulty in all its aesthetic manifestations.