| Raise concerns | to express worries or doubts about something | The report raised serious concerns about data security. |
| Pose a threat | to present a danger or risk to something | Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health. |
| Draw a conclusion | to arrive at a judgement based on evidence | From the data, we can draw the conclusion that prices will rise. |
| Reach a consensus | for a group to arrive at a shared agreement | After hours of debate, the committee reached a consensus. |
| Exert pressure | to apply force or influence to make something happen | Lobby groups exerted pressure on the government to change the law. |
| Spark a debate | to start or trigger a discussion or controversy | The new policy sparked a heated debate in parliament. |
| Bear a resemblance | to look similar to or share characteristics with something else | The painting bears a striking resemblance to a Rembrandt. |
| Come into effect | (of a law or policy) to start being applied | The new regulations come into effect on 1 January. |
| Make strides | to make significant progress towards a goal | The company has made great strides in reducing its emissions. |
| Place emphasis | to give special importance to something | The curriculum places strong emphasis on critical thinking. |
| Harbour doubts | to hold private worries or uncertainties about something | Many scientists harbour doubts about the theory. |
| Tackle an issue | to deal with a problem directly and energetically | Governments must tackle the issue of income inequality. |