a persistent worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a persistent worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concern or anxiety that continues over time without resolution. Example: "Her health issues have become a persistent worry for her family, leading them to seek additional medical opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For both the United States and Israel, Iran's nuclear program has been a persistent worry.

The New York Times

But there is a persistent worry that the Oscar telecast simply can't get the ratings that it once did.

The Guardian

Even if new precautions are taken, Gen. Wesley K. Clark, who was the commander of NATO forces during the war in Kosovo, said the new style of attacks was likely to be a persistent worry.

The New York Times

Checking food safety "from farm to fork" in Europe has been a persistent worry for two decades, since the crisis of mad cow disease in Britain threw the Continent into a crisis and prompted a ban on British beef exports to Europe and the United States.

The New York Times

"Haystacks stands unabashed and unashamed in the midst of a circle of much loftier fells, like a shaggy terrier in the company of foxhounds...For a man trying to get a persistent worry out of his mind, the top of Haystacks is a wonderful cure," he wrote.

Independent

The IMF has a persistent worry about the longer term outlook.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A stressful situation — whether something environmental, such as a looming work deadline, or psychological, such as persistent worry about losing a job — can trigger a cascade of stress hormones that produce well-orchestrated physiological changes.

Harvard University

But the confidence of executives appears to have been shaken by fears of a slowing economic recovery and persistent worry over Greece's fiscal troubles.

The New York Times

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by persistent worry or anxiety [ 1]; it is often difficult to diagnose because of the wide variety of clinical presentations and the common occurrence of comorbid somatic diseases and/or mental disorders.

BMC Psychiatry

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by persistent worry or anxiety [ 1]; GAD is often difficult to diagnose because of the wide variety of clinical presentations and the common occurrence of comorbid somatic diseases and/or mental disorders.

BMC Psychiatry

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent worry or anxiety that occurs more days than not over a period of at least six months [ 1].

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a persistent worry" when you want to emphasize that a concern is not fleeting but continues to be present over time. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts where you want to highlight the duration of the concern.

Common error

While grammatically correct, consider alternatives like "something I keep thinking about" in casual conversations. Overusing "a persistent worry" in informal settings can sound overly formal or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a persistent worry" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a state of ongoing concern or anxiety. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a persistent worry" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing state of anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as academic and scientific writing. While versatile, be mindful of its slightly formal tone in very casual settings. Consider alternatives like "an ongoing concern" or "a nagging fear" depending on the context. The phrase emphasizes the enduring nature of the worry, making it suitable for situations where the concern has been present for an extended period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ongoing concern

Replaces "worry" with "concern" and "persistent" with "ongoing", highlighting the continuous nature of the issue.

a constant anxiety

Substitutes "worry" with "anxiety" and "persistent" with "constant", emphasizing the unceasing nature of the feeling.

a nagging fear

Uses "fear" instead of "worry" and "nagging" instead of "persistent", indicating an irritating and recurring concern.

a lingering apprehension

Replaces "worry" with "apprehension" and "persistent" with "lingering", suggesting a prolonged sense of unease.

a recurring unease

Swaps "worry" for "unease" and "persistent" for "recurring", pointing to a repeated feeling of discomfort.

a continuous preoccupation

Changes "worry" to "preoccupation" and "persistent" to "continuous", highlighting an ongoing focus on something.

a chronic concern

Replaces "persistent" with "chronic", emphasizing the long-lasting nature of the concern.

an enduring anxiety

Substitutes "persistent" with "enduring", suggesting the anxiety lasts for a long time.

a settled uneasiness

Uses "uneasiness" instead of "worry" and "settled" instead of "persistent", suggesting a firm, ongoing feeling of discomfort.

a lasting disquiet

Replaces "worry" with "disquiet" and "persistent" with "lasting", indicating a continuing state of mild anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "a persistent worry" to describe something that is a source of ongoing anxiety, for example: "The company's financial instability has become "a persistent worry" for its employees".

What are some alternatives to "a persistent worry"?

Some alternatives include "an ongoing concern", "a constant anxiety", or "a nagging fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a persistent worry"?

Yes, "a persistent worry" is grammatically correct. The article "a" correctly precedes the adjective "persistent" and the noun "worry".

When is it best to use "a persistent worry" over other similar phrases?

Use "a persistent worry" when you want to emphasize the long-lasting and recurring nature of the concern. It is suitable for situations where the worry has been present for an extended period and continues to be a source of anxiety.