a rather worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather worried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is feeling a significant level of concern or anxiety about a situation. Example: "She had a rather worried expression on her face as she waited for the test results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But in a blurry grey flash, a fan appeared from nowhere – being chased by a rather worried steward – and curled an effort towards the goal mid-stride.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I've been to a few in the last week or so and I'm rather worried about a trend emerging.

The Guardian

Smith died in 2010, but another retired officer, Jack Tasker, told Sky News the investigation into his alleged child abuse at Cambridge House care home was stalled because "other people were rather worried that if Cyril Smith went before a court, he would open his mouth".

The Guardian

It's certainly the first time I've ever sent my mother a postcard saying: 'I've caught the sun, eaten some fresh fish and been sexually assaulted by an Italian billionaire.' (Between you and me, I'm rather worried that I got her hopes up).

The Guardian - Money

"I am rather worried," he said.

The New York Times

Some are rather worried about what may follow.

The Washington Post

But I was joking about Maxi otherwise I would be rather worried about myself".

The Guardian - Sport

I actually get rather worried if I can't see the music first.

The Guardian - Music

Mr Stephens told the show: "I am rather worried by the political motivations that appear to be behind this.

Independent

(He ended a grimly knowing review of Billy Wilder's alcoholism drama, "The Lost Weekend," with the following words: "I undershtand that liquor interesh: innerish: intereshtsh are rather worried about thish film. Thash tough").

The New Yorker

"I'm rather worried that we won't have enough time to tackle the refugee question in sufficient depth so I would recommend to Mr Tusk a further summit," Juncker said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather worried" to subtly convey a sense of concern without being overly dramatic. This phrasing is suitable for scenarios where a moderate level of anxiety is present.

Common error

Avoid using "a rather worried" in situations that warrant stronger expressions of anxiety. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact or sound inappropriately understated when a more serious emotion is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather worried" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing a person's emotional state or expression. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rather worried" is a useful way to express a moderate level of concern or anxiety. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, and offers a more subtle way to convey worry compared to stronger terms like "anxious" or "terrified". When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the emotion you intend to describe. If stronger emotions are relevant, consider alternatives like "deeply apprehensive" or "visibly disturbed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat anxious

Replaces "rather worried" with a synonym conveying a slightly lower intensity of concern.

genuinely concerned

Highlights the sincerity and depth of the worry.

fairly concerned

Substitutes "rather worried" with another term expressing a moderate level of worry.

somewhat concerned

Similar to "fairly concerned" but can suggest a slightly milder degree of worry.

quite apprehensive

Uses a more formal word to indicate a feeling of anxiety or unease about something that might happen.

deeply apprehensive

Conveys a heightened state of anxiety and fear about potential future events.

noticeably uneasy

Emphasizes the visible aspect of being worried, suggesting that the concern is apparent.

a little anxious

Expresses a lighter degree of worry compared to "rather worried".

visibly disturbed

Indicates a stronger emotional reaction, implying that the person's worry is causing significant distress.

slightly bothered

Indicates a minimal level of concern or annoyance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather worried" to describe someone's expression or demeanor when they are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety. For example: "She had "a rather worried" look on her face as she waited for the test results".

What are some alternatives to "a rather worried"?

Alternatives include "somewhat anxious", "fairly concerned", or "quite apprehensive", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a rather worried" more formal or informal?

"A rather worried" leans towards a slightly formal tone, suitable for news articles, reports, or narrative writing. In very casual conversation, simpler phrases like "a bit worried" might be preferred.

When is it not appropriate to use "a rather worried"?

Avoid using "a rather worried" when describing extreme fear or panic. In such cases, stronger expressions such as "terrified" or "extremely anxious" are more fitting.