What does concerning mean?
'Concerning' is chiefly a preposition meaning 'about' or 'on the subject of', used to introduce the topic of a statement, question, or document — as in 'a letter concerning tax obligations'. It is a fixture of formal registers: legal notices, official reports, business correspondence, and academic writing all favour it for its precise, impersonal tone. The word also serves as the present participle of the verb 'to concern', appearing in constructions such as 'the evidence concerning the case'. In looser modern usage it sometimes appears adjectivally to mean 'worrying' or 'troubling', as in 'his behaviour was concerning', a sense widely understood but often avoided in careful prose. Etymologically it traces back through Old French 'concerner' to the Latin verb 'cernere', meaning to sift, perceive, or decide — the same root behind 'discern', 'secret', and 'certain'. For writers seeking a polished, authoritative way to signal a topic, 'concerning' remains a reliable choice.
On the subject of; about; with regard to.
"He made no comment concerning his plans for the following year."
Common in formal, legal, and administrative writing; less frequent in casual speech.
Present participle of 'concern'; relating to, involving, or affecting someone or something.
"Much of the discussion concerning the merger took place behind closed doors."
That slightly formal email opener 'Concerning your request...' descends from the same ancient Latin root that gave us 'secret' and 'discern' — all about sifting and separating what matters.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of concerning
'Concerning' derives from the verb 'concern', which entered English in the late fourteenth to fifteenth century from Old French 'concerner', itself from medieval Latin 'concernere', formed from the intensive prefix 'com-' plus 'cernere', meaning to sift, distinguish, or decide. This Latin root produced a notable family of English words, including 'discern', 'secret' (from 'secernere'), and 'certain' (from 'certus'). The prepositional use of the participle 'concerning' developed in Middle English and became well established by early modern times.
Related word forms
How concerning is actually used
'Concerning' as a preposition is somewhat more formal than 'about' and common in official, legal, and business writing. Some style guides consider it slightly stiff in everyday conversation, where 'about' or 'regarding' often sounds more natural. In informal speech it can occasionally be heard as an adjective meaning 'worrying', though careful writers generally prefer 'disturbing' or 'alarming' in that sense.
Easily confused with concerning
'Concerting' means acting jointly or coordinating with others, while 'concerning' means relating to a topic.