a cause for worry

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cause for worry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that is causing concern or anxiety. Example: The recent increase in crime rates is a cause for worry in our community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But is it a cause for worry?

The New York Times

This is a cause for worry, especially if growth suffers further downward revisions.

The Guardian

The Napster users, though, generally dismissed hacker intrusions as a cause for worry.

The New York Times

In the first half Johnson was again a cause for worry.

Independent

But the scale of the recent recall "was a cause for worry," Mr. Sasaki said.

The New York Times

It is indeed the normalization of these issues and conflicts that is a cause for worry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The continuing dysfunction and gridlock in Washington and other Western capitals is equally a cause for their worry.

Huffington Post

Worldwide travel alerts have been issued a few times since May 2011, so this one isn't an extreme cause for worry, a State Department spokesperson told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

"If Jim Craig were departing to start his own money management shop and potentially taking a lot of the talent and a lot of the assets with him, you'd have a real cause for worry".

The New York Times

However, the manner in which it is deployed and increasingly used is a real cause for worry.

The Guardian

Recent increases in prices for new drugs and biologics -- antibodies and other proteins -- especially for cancers like lymphoma and prostate are a real cause for worry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cause for worry", ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the worry. Specificity enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a cause for worry" when the situation warrants stronger language like "a cause for alarm" if the situation is genuinely critical. Use synonyms to accurately reflect the severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cause for worry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that prompts concern or anxiety. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts to highlight potential problems or risks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cause for worry" is a commonly used phrase to express concern or highlight a potential problem. It's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific discussions. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, consider using more formal alternatives in professional writing. The phrase effectively identifies situations that merit attention or action, but be mindful of the level of concern you wish to convey and select synonyms accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for concern

Replaces "cause" with "reason" and "worry" with "concern", maintaining a similar level of formality.

ground for apprehension

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "cause" with "ground" and "worry" with "apprehension", indicating a more significant concern.

source of anxiety

Shifts the focus to the emotional impact, using "anxiety" instead of "worry".

matter of concern

Replaces "cause" with "matter", softening the intensity of the worry.

reason to be anxious

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety rather than the source of worry.

source of disquiet

Uses "disquiet" for a more understated sense of unease.

justification for unease

More formal, using "justification" and "unease" to express a measured concern.

something to be worried about

A more direct and less formal way of expressing the same concern.

matter of apprehension

Similar to "matter of concern" but uses the stronger word "apprehension".

something that gives rise to concern

A more verbose and formal way of stating the cause of worry.

FAQs

How can I use "a cause for worry" in a sentence?

Use "a cause for worry" to point out something that is concerning or creates anxiety. For example, "The increasing unemployment rate is "a cause for worry" among economists."

What's the difference between "a cause for worry" and "a cause for alarm"?

"A cause for worry" indicates mild to moderate concern, while "a cause for alarm" suggests a more serious or urgent situation that requires immediate attention. Use "a cause for alarm" when the situation poses a significant threat.

What are some alternatives to "a cause for worry"?

You can use alternatives like "reason for concern", "ground for apprehension", or "source of anxiety" depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "a cause for worry" too informal for professional writing?

While "a cause for worry" is generally acceptable, for more formal or professional contexts, consider using alternatives like "reason for concern" or "matter of concern" to maintain a higher degree of formality.