a serious worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a concern or issue that is significant or troubling. Example: "The rising levels of pollution in our city are a serious worry for public health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But trade experts warn that protectionism remains a serious worry.

The Economist

Air transport, in particular, is a serious worry.

The Economist

All of which amounts to a serious worry.

The Guardian

The reports suggest that Iranian-sponsored assassinations of Iraqi officials became a serious worry.

The New York Times

But a slowdown in China should not be a serious worry for Brazil.

The Economist

Kemp also spoke of a "serious worry" since the loss of repertory theatre.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Alongside this great cultural shudder which was based, to a great extent, in elitism and snobbery was a more serious worry, one which grew hysterical the closer Murdoch got to his acquisition of the newspaper.

Forbes

To Mr Bush and his party, that may be a more serious worry than mere carping from abroad about lack of sophistication.

The Economist

Mr Levi thinks that a more serious worry is the cost of introducing wiretap evidence, which often involves thousands of pages of transcripts, and would, under current rules, have to be disclosed to the defence.The Association of Chief Police Constables, which used to be sceptical about the value of wiretap evidence, appears to be shifting its stance.

The Economist

"This is a really serious worry for me.

Science Magazine

A more serious worry confronts IP when you have to make sequences of decisions.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious worry", ensure the context clearly indicates the object or situation causing the concern. For example, "The lack of funding is a serious worry for the project's future."

Common error

Avoid using "a serious worry" without specifying what is causing the worry. Be specific; don't leave the reader guessing about the source of the concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious worry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it identifies a matter of considerable concern or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious worry" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon way to express significant concern about a situation or issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, and science. While grammatically sound, consider alternatives like "a grave concern" for more formal settings. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly identify the specific cause of the worry to avoid vagueness. In conclusion, this expression serves to highlight significant issues meriting consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A grave concern

Replaces 'serious' with 'grave', emphasizing the weighty nature of the worry.

A major apprehension

Substitutes 'worry' with 'apprehension', indicating anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

A significant concern

Uses 'significant' to highlight the importance and potential impact of the worry.

Cause for alarm

Shifts the focus to the alarming nature of the situation, prompting a sense of urgency.

A troubling issue

Replaces 'worry' with 'issue', framing the concern as a problem needing attention.

A reason for unease

Expresses a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a situation.

A source of anxiety

Highlights the anxiety-inducing nature of the worry.

A point of concern

Focuses on the specific aspect that is causing worry.

A matter of concern

Formal way to define the importance of the issue or worry.

Something to be anxious about

Directly states that something is causing anxiety.

FAQs

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

Use "a serious worry" to express significant concern about a specific situation or issue. For example, "Climate change is "a serious worry" for many scientists".

What are some alternatives to "a serious worry"?

Alternatives include "a grave concern", "a major apprehension", or "a significant concern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a serious worry" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a serious worry" might be considered slightly informal for very academic or formal contexts. Consider using "a grave concern" or "a significant issue" for a more elevated tone.

What makes something "a serious worry" as opposed to just a regular worry?

The adjective "serious" indicates that the worry has significant potential consequences or implications, making it more than just a minor concern. It suggests a situation that requires attention and possible action.