a more general worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more general worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing broader concerns or issues that encompass specific worries. Example: "While there are specific problems to address, there is a more general worry about the long-term effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(This question springs from a more general worry about the holism of functional specification, which will be discussed more generally in Section 5.1).

SEP

Samuel Tombs at Capital Economics said a more general worry was that banks will be hammered by an economic slowdown and further sharp falls in consumer spending, forcing them to make higher bad debt provisions.

The Guardian - Business

A more general worry is that the very notion of belief is not theoretically useful if the criteria for what counts as a belief become too loose.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The more general worry lying behind these questions is whether the statistical approach, in defining simplicity in terms of number of adjustable parameters, is replacing the broad issue of simplicity with a more narrowly and perhaps arbitrarily defined set of issues.

SEP

Although the volume's chief virtue is to draw attention to patterns of fraternal anxiety, it also provides a useful frame for contemplating more general worries about race, politics, disease, and sexuality.

The New Yorker

A scary word, yet an essentially vague abstraction that speaks to more general worries about unfairness, impunity, abuse of power and waste of scarce public funds.

The Guardian

General Carter said that while he had no direct proof in Mr. Matiullah's case, he harbored more general worries that the legions of unregulated Afghan security companies had a financial interest in prolonging chaos.

The New York Times

The contrast with Mr Obama's choice of the highly experienced and much-vetted Joe Biden is striking.Mr McCain's appointment also raises more general worries about the Republican Party's fitness for government.

The Economist

We will return in later sections to more general worries about the nature and possibility of imagery representation per se, but we should also ask just how we should understand the notion of a code (as Paivio uses it[1]), and about how such codes are to be differentiated, characterized, and counted.

SEP

It said this decision came about because of the time it would take the partner who produced the mining code to fix the bugs, because of the damage using it was doing to Qbix's reputation and more general worries about the impact of the power-hungry coin-mining world.

BBC

This is about a place where girls can live in a communal setting and feed off each other and build each other up and do better". Though some residents who spoke at the council meeting raised concerns specific to Casa Capri — mostly dealing with noise and how many people live there — many expressed more general worries about the number of sober-living facilities in the city.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a more general worry" when you want to discuss a broader concern that underlies more specific anxieties or problems. It helps to frame specific issues within a larger context.

Common error

Avoid using too many qualifiers before "worry", such as "a much more general worry" or "a far more general worry", as this can make the phrase sound redundant or overly emphatic. Clarity and conciseness are key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a more general worry" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a broader concern or anxiety. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is typically used to frame specific issues within a larger context of unease or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a more general worry" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a broader concern or anxiety that underlies specific issues. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly when framing specific problems within a larger perspective. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent across authoritative sources like The Guardian, The New York Times and The Economist. When using this phrase, remember to avoid overuse of qualifiers and to ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing. Consider alternatives such as "a broader concern" or "a wider apprehension" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broader concern

Focuses on the extent of the concern rather than the worry itself.

a wider apprehension

Highlights a sense of fear or anxiety that is widespread.

a prevailing unease

Emphasizes a feeling of discomfort that is common or widespread.

an overarching anxiety

Suggests that the anxiety is dominant and encompasses other smaller worries.

a common concern

Highlights the shared nature of the worry.

a widespread fear

Focuses on the fear aspect and its prevalence.

a pervasive anxiety

Highlights the fact that the anxiety is spreading widely.

a universal concern

Indicates that the concern affects everyone or nearly everyone.

a fundamental anxiety

Highlights that the anxiety is essential and basic.

a sweeping concern

Emphasizes that the concern is comprehensive and broad.

FAQs

How can I use "a more general worry" in a sentence?

You can use "a more general worry" to introduce a broader concern that underlies specific issues. For example, "While there are specific financial challenges, there is "a more general worry" about the stability of the economy".

What are some alternatives to "a more general worry"?

Some alternatives include "a broader concern", "a wider apprehension", or "a prevailing unease". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a more general worry" in formal writing?

Yes, "a more general worry" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing underlying issues or concerns in a comprehensive manner. However, ensure that the tone and context align with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "a specific worry" and "a more general worry"?

"A specific worry" refers to a particular, defined concern, while ""a more general worry"" encompasses broader, overarching anxieties that may include or influence multiple specific worries.