I worried

USAGE SUMMARY

'I worried' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you were anxious or concerned about something. Example: I worried that I wouldn't be able to finish my project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I worried about them.

The New Yorker

"I worried a lot.

The New Yorker

I worried about dehydration.

The New York Times

Am I worried?

Independent

I worried about him.

The New York Times - Science

I worried for music.

The New York Times - Arts

But I worried.

The New York Times

For a moment, I worried.

The New Yorker

I worried at times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I worried for months".

The Guardian

I worried about everything.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider using adverbs to modify "I worried", such as "I worried constantly", "I worried needlessly", or "I worried briefly" to reflect the intensity and duration of your concern.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "I worried" without clarifying the subject of your concern. Without context, the statement lacks impact and can leave the reader unclear about the nature of your anxiety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I worried" functions as an intransitive clause expressing a state of mind or emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically introduces a statement about the speaker's past anxieties or concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I worried" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express past concern or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's commonly found in news articles, personal narratives, and formal documents. To enhance clarity, always provide context regarding the subject of your worry. While alternatives like "I was concerned" or "I was anxious" exist, "I worried" remains a direct and effective way to convey your past state of mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was anxious

Expresses a state of unease and concern, similar to worrying, but can imply a more persistent feeling.

I was concerned

Indicates a state of worry, often regarding a specific issue or person, making it slightly more formal.

I felt apprehensive

Suggests a feeling of anxiety or fear that something unpleasant might happen, emphasizing anticipation.

I was uneasy

Implies a lack of comfort or peace of mind, often due to an uncertain situation, conveying mild anxiety.

I feared

Expresses a stronger sense of worry, implying a potential negative outcome that is deeply concerning.

I was troubled

Indicates a state of worry that is causing distress or difficulty, highlighting the impact of the concern.

I had misgivings

Suggests feelings of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something, implying a lack of confidence.

I fretted

Implies agitated worry, often over trivial matters, suggesting a more restless state of concern.

I was in suspense

Indicates a state of anxious uncertainty about what might happen, emphasizing the feeling of waiting for a resolution.

I had doubts

Expresses a lack of certainty or trust, leading to a state of worry about the reliability or outcome of something.

FAQs

How can I use "I worried" in a sentence?

You can use "I worried" to express concern or anxiety about a situation or person. For example, "I worried about the upcoming deadline" or "I worried about my friend's health".

What are some alternatives to saying "I worried"?

Alternatives include "I was concerned", "I was anxious", or "I felt apprehensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I worried" or should I use a different tense?

"I worried" is the past tense and is correct for describing a past concern. Use "I worry" for present tense concerns.

What's the difference between "I worried" and "I was worried"?

"I worried" is the simple past tense, while "I was worried" is the past continuous/progressive tense. Both are generally interchangeable, but "I was worried" can emphasize the duration of the worrying.