I started to get concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to get concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a gradual increase in worry or anxiety about a situation. Example: "As the project deadline approached and the team was behind schedule, I started to get concerned about our ability to deliver on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I was a big believer in Level 3, but I started to get concerned when they reported their quarter," Friedland says.

Forbes

At last year's European Championship in Israel, it caused me quite a lot of pain and it was getting worse and I started to get concerned.

BBC

A lot of friends started contacting me to ask if I was okay, and I started to get concerned, "Should I be okay?" I felt a lot of pressure to respond.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We started to get concerned that they had basically disappeared this person," says Garrett Fitzgerald, a volunteer legal worker from Minnesota who helped track down Mitchell.

The Guardian

So while there aren't any reports of mosquito-born Zika in Los Angeles where I live, I'm already on high alert, and I'm starting to get concerned about the red patch of skin on my shoulder.

Vice

Nasim Pedrad (Last Week: 13) I hate saying this, but I'm starting to get concerned here.

Huffington Post

"Now they're getting the same message everyone else got". Kurt Stabel, chief investment officer of Street Asset Management in Corona del Mar, said: "I'm the proverbial optimist, and even I'm starting to get concerned.

Los Angeles Times

I am for the first time starting to get concerned about the physical welfare of the congressmen.

Huffington Post

So, they were starting to get concerned about oil.

Yale University

But the movements are starting to get concerned.

The New York Times

MOSCOW (The Borowitz Report)—Russian President Vladimir Putin is "starting to get concerned" that the puppets he installed in the executive branch of the U.S. government "might not be up to the task at hand," sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I started to get concerned", ensure the context clearly explains what triggered the concern. Providing specific details enhances the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "I started to get concerned" without specifying the reason. Vague language can weaken your statement. Instead, be specific about the cause of your concern to make your writing more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to get concerned" functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal feeling. It indicates the beginning of a state of worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science & Research

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started to get concerned" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted way to express the onset of worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. While examples are relatively uncommon, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news reports, personal narratives, and professional communications. When using "I started to get concerned", clarity is key, so providing specific details about the cause of your concern enhances the impact and ensures the message is clear. Consider alternatives like "I began to worry" or "I became worried" for simpler expressions, or "I grew apprehensive" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started to worry

Uses a more common synonym for "concerned" to express the feeling.

I began to feel anxious

Replaces "started to get concerned" with a more direct expression of anxiety.

I became worried

Uses a simpler verb and adjective to convey the same feeling of worry.

I was becoming increasingly uneasy

Highlights the continuous increase in the feeling of being uneasy.

I grew apprehensive

Replaces "started to get concerned" with a more formal and nuanced term for unease.

My worries escalated

Implies a rapid increase in worries.

My anxiety increased

Focuses on the increasing level of anxiety rather than the start of concern.

I felt unease creeping in

Emphasizes the gradual and subtle onset of unease.

I sensed a growing unease

Shifts focus to the feeling of unease as a sensed presence.

Concern began to dawn on me

Uses a more poetic expression to describe the onset of concern.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "I started to get concerned"?

You can use phrases like "I began to worry", "I became worried", or "I grew anxious" for a more straightforward expression.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "I started to get concerned"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a gradual increase in worry or anxiety about a specific situation or event. Be sure to provide context for what triggered your concern.

What are some more formal alternatives to "I started to get concerned"?

More formal alternatives include "I grew apprehensive" or "I began to feel anxious", which convey a similar sentiment with a more sophisticated tone.

Is there a difference between "I started to get concerned" and "I became concerned"?

"I started to get concerned" implies a gradual onset of worry, while "I became concerned" suggests a more immediate shift to a state of concern. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the gradual nature of your worry.