a realistic worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a realistic worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing concerns or fears that are grounded in reality and have a basis in fact. Example: "Given the recent data breaches, a realistic worry for many companies is the security of their customer information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That is a realistic worry.

The New Yorker

This may, in fact, be a realistic worry for the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

In contrast to virtually everyone else, we expect that inflation will be a realistic worry by the end of 2009.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A more realistic worry for whaling would be an oil spill from an offshore Arctic drilling rig, he said.

The Guardian - Travel

Corporate longevity may be a more realistic worry.

The New York Times

Is this a realistic concern?

The Washington Post

Is it a realistic concern?

Forbes

Is that a realistic concern?

Vice

Unhappiness is diagnosed as depression; realistic worry as anxiety; understandable anger as bipolar disorder; and nonspecific nervousness as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The New York Times

Thus both tasks required attention to benign material while ignoring worry-related information, with increasing similarity to realistic worry content over tasks.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Thus both tasks required the adoption of the non-threatening meanings of ambiguous material and rejection of alternatives that were made increasingly similar to realistic worry content.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a realistic worry", ensure the context provides a clear basis for the concern, making it evident why the worry is grounded in reality.

Common error

Avoid presenting a minor inconvenience as "a realistic worry". Reserve this phrase for situations where the potential negative outcomes are significant and well-supported by evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a realistic worry" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "realistic" modifies the noun "worry". It is used to identify a specific type of concern that is grounded in reality and has a basis in fact, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a realistic worry" is a phrase used to describe a concern or fear that is grounded in reality and based on evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, it's found in contexts like news and science. When using this phrase, ensure the worry is genuinely based on tangible factors. Consider alternatives such as "a valid concern" or "a genuine fear" to add nuance. By understanding these factors, you can effectively use "a realistic worry" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid concern

Focuses on the legitimacy of the concern.

a legitimate apprehension

Highlights the lawfulness and justification of the worry.

a genuine fear

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the fear.

a well-founded anxiety

Indicates that the anxiety is based on solid evidence or reason.

a justified concern

Similar to "valid concern", but emphasizes the fairness or righteousness of the concern.

a practical concern

Highlights the practicality and relevance of the concern in a real-world context.

a reasonable concern

Suggests the concern is logical and not excessive.

a credible threat

Shifts the focus to a potential danger that is believable and likely.

a tangible risk

Emphasizes the concrete and measurable nature of the risk.

a substantive fear

Highlights the importance and significance of the fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "a realistic worry" to describe a concern that is based on facts and has a reasonable chance of occurring. For example, "Given the current economic climate, inflation is "a realistic worry" for many families".

What are some alternatives to saying "a realistic worry"?

Alternatives include "a valid concern", "a genuine fear", or "a well-founded anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a realistic worry" or "a real worry"?

"A realistic worry" implies that the worry is grounded in reality and has a reasonable basis. "A real worry" simply means that the worry is genuine. "A realistic worry" is a better choice when you want to emphasize the factual basis of the concern.

What makes a worry "realistic"?

A worry is considered "realistic" when it is based on credible evidence, logical reasoning, or past experiences that suggest a potential negative outcome is likely to occur. It's not based on speculation or unfounded fears.