[MUSIC] How would you use the word concern to describe this man? I asked this question because, believe it or not, the word concern is problematic for some non-native speakers of English. It gets misused, and its meaning is often confused by learners. The reason is most likely because there are at least six different patterns, or ways that the word concern can be used. By the end of this video, you will be able to identify the different meanings for the word concern, and use the word correctly and accurately. Okay, let's look at pattern 1, something concerns someone. In this case, the word concern is used as a verb. Let's use a recent meeting at Tom's work. The meeting didn't go too well for him because he had to report about the company's falling profits, and of course, management isn't happy about the report at all. You might say, the company's decrease in profits concerns management. Next, let's take a look at pattern 2, someone is concerned about, or by something. In this case, the word concerned is an adjective. Let's go back to poor Tom. In this case, he's not feeling too well because he's been working too much. Susan is concerned about Tom's health. Next is pattern 3, a concerned someone is doing something. In this case, concern is an adjective. Remember our sick Tom, and how Susan is concerned about his health? Well, she decided to do something about it. You might say, Susan, a concerned co-worker called a doctor for Tom. Next is pattern 4, the person, or thing concerned is doing something. Here, concerned is an adjective, but it's meaning is different from the previous examples. Let's look at an example to illustrate the meaning. Here, Mr. Banks is returning an item that he bought because it's broken. Later, back at the company's main office, Tom is notifying the customer concerned, Mr. Banks, about his refund. So far so good, we have two more patterns to go. The next one is pattern 5, something is a matter of great concern. In this case, concern is a noun. Remember Tom, and the decrease in profits? Well, you can bet that the decrease in profits is a going concern. Finally, we have the sixth pattern. In this case, the word concern acts like a preposition, meaning about. Let's go to another meeting. In this case, Mr. Banks makes an important announcement about salary increases. He says, any decision by management concerning this issue will be final. So there you have it, six patterns for the word concern. You should now be able to identify the different meanings of the word concern, and use the word correctly and accurately. [MUSIC]