a legitimate worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concerns that are valid or justifiable in a particular context. Example: "Given the recent events, the rise in cyber threats is a legitimate worry for many businesses today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"That's a legitimate worry," concedes Fisher.

Harvard University

Venter thinks Greene has a legitimate worry.

Yale University

This phenomenon, known as adverse selection, is a legitimate worry.

The New York Times - Health

This was perhaps a bizarre simile, but it captured a legitimate worry.

The New York Times

That is a legitimate worry, even if it will be a couple of years before the fog clears.

The Guardian - Business

Overstretch can be a legitimate worry for any nation, but given our vast resources, we are not anywhere near the redline yet.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

You might think, "Are the authorities really going to arrest these parents for transporting their epileptic kid's medicine, which by the way for a child might be a non-psychoactive oil?" And yet it seems to be a very legitimate worry for these families.

Vice

But since that's an increasingly legitimate worry for many, I'm including it.

Forbes

The fear of anthrax infection is a very real and legitimate worry in an America still recovering from Sept. 11 and reeling from new reports of exposure.

The New York Times - Arts

Will May address this legitimate worry?

The Guardian - Business

There is truth to this, and perhaps some legitimate worry that televising the proceedings could debase them in some way.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a legitimate worry", clearly state the reason or context behind the worry to establish its validity. For example, "Given the company's financial losses, employee layoffs are a legitimate worry."

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate worry" when the concern is based on speculation or lacks factual support. Ensure the worry is grounded in reality and can be justified with evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate worry" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a specific type of concern, one that is based on valid reasons or evidence. Ludwig examples show that this phrase is typically used in contexts where the speaker acknowledges the validity of a concern raised.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate worry" is a noun phrase used to acknowledge and validate a concern or anxiety. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure that the worry is based on factual support to avoid overstating its legitimacy. Consider alternatives like "a valid concern" or "a justifiable apprehension" for nuanced expression. Ludwig's analysis confirms its reliability and acceptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid concern

Focuses on the validity of the concern rather than the worry itself, implying a rational basis.

a justifiable apprehension

Replaces "worry" with a more formal term, "apprehension", and emphasizes the justification for the feeling.

a reasonable fear

Substitutes "worry" with "fear", highlighting the emotional aspect and suggesting a logical basis for the fear.

a well-founded anxiety

Emphasizes the solid basis of the anxiety, indicating that it is not unfounded or irrational.

a genuine cause for concern

Shifts the focus to the existence of a real reason to be worried, rather than the worry itself.

an understandable preoccupation

Suggests that the worry is consuming someone's thoughts, but in a way that is easy to comprehend given the circumstances.

a credible source of unease

Points to something that causes anxiety and is believable or trustworthy.

a warranted misgiving

Indicates that the feeling of doubt or apprehension is justified by the situation.

a real reason for disquiet

Highlights that the reason for feeling uneasy is authentic or tangible.

a substantive ground for alarm

Indicates the worry has significant substance and cause for alarm, escalating the level of concern.

FAQs

How can I use "a legitimate worry" in a sentence?

You can use "a legitimate worry" to describe a concern that is valid or justifiable. For example, "The potential impact on the environment is "a legitimate worry" regarding the new construction project".

What can I say instead of "a legitimate worry"?

You can use alternatives like "a valid concern", "a justifiable apprehension", or "a reasonable fear" depending on the context.

Is "a legitimate worry" the same as "a valid worry"?

While similar, ""a legitimate worry"" and "a valid worry" both suggest a justifiable concern, "legitimate" often implies adherence to rules or standards, whereas "valid" emphasizes the soundness or factual basis.

What's the difference between "a legitimate worry" and "a fear"?

"A legitimate worry" suggests a rational concern grounded in reality, while "a fear" can be more emotional or irrational. A worry becomes legitimate when there's a valid reason behind it.