a shared anxiety

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shared anxiety" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of worry or concern that is experienced collectively by a group of people. Example: "In times of crisis, a shared anxiety can bring communities together as they support one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Building on Debord's conception of the dialectic of the spectacle, this paper illustrates how the growing support for heritage conservation in Macau has been propelled by a shared anxiety over the phenomenal changes brought by an expanding casino industry and concomitant erosion of Macau's cultural identity.

Geoforum

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It had been a cheap substitute for our shared anxiety about blending a family.

Huffington Post

First, the national war footing has generated a swell of patriotism and shared anxiety that floats not only a more muscular foreign policy but also much of the president's domestic agenda, at least until now.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the Saudis' tacit tolerance of Israel, a product of the two countries' shared anxiety about Iran, can be sacrificed, he argues.

Huffington Post

Shared anxiety binds Rick, Philip, and Denise closer together.

The New Yorker

In the election run-up we were both full of hope and fear, united in shared anxiety.

The New York Times

Both are mothers of young children who shared anxiety points over keeping their children actively entertained while stimulating their creativity.

TechCrunch

Emoji are either a low point or a high point in that story, so I felt I could confront a lot of our shared anxieties about the future of human expression (see: Twitter or text messages) by forcing a great work of literature through such a strange new filter.

The New Yorker

Rather than explore the more clinical concerns about attention spans or concentration, Scott says he wanted to explore our shared anxieties about living in a pervasively networked environment.

The Guardian - Books

The radicals on the streets are voicing an organised and extremist expression of these widely shared anxieties.

The Economist

"A Chorus Line," with brilliant music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, and a canny book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, gives voice to deep, widely shared anxieties and aspirations, but its big themes are grounded in the lives, voices and bodies of individuals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a shared anxiety", ensure the context clearly identifies the group experiencing the anxiety and the source of their concern. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a shared anxiety" to describe feelings that are actually individual or only present in a small subset of a larger group. Ensure the anxiety is truly widespread and collective to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shared anxiety" functions as a noun phrase, where "shared" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "anxiety". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a collective feeling of worry or unease as identified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shared anxiety" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collective feeling of worry or unease. While relatively rare in occurrence, as shown by Ludwig's analysis, it's appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. The phrase effectively communicates a sense of collective concern and is often found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Remember to ensure that the context clearly identifies the group experiencing the anxiety to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collective concern

Replaces "anxiety" with "concern", emphasizing worry about a particular issue.

a mutual apprehension

Substitutes "anxiety" with "apprehension", highlighting a sense of unease about the future.

a common worry

Uses "worry" instead of "anxiety", simplifying the term while retaining the core meaning.

a joint uneasiness

Replaces "anxiety" with "uneasiness", suggesting a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

a widespread fear

Emphasizes the element of fear inherent in anxiety, broadening the emotional scope.

a unified dread

Substitutes "anxiety" with "dread", highlighting a sense of impending doom.

a group concern

Focuses on the group dynamic and their shared worry.

a general angst

Uses "angst" instead of "anxiety", conveying a more profound and existential worry.

a public disquiet

Highlights the public nature of the anxiety, suggesting widespread unease.

a communal trepidation

Replaces "anxiety" with "trepidation", indicating a state of alarm or dread.

FAQs

How can I use "a shared anxiety" in a sentence?

You can use "a shared anxiety" to describe a feeling of worry or concern experienced collectively by a group. For example: "The economic downturn caused "a shared anxiety" among investors."

What phrases are similar to "a shared anxiety"?

Similar phrases include "a collective concern", "a mutual apprehension", or "a common worry". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a shared anxiety"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Shared" is an adjective modifying "anxiety", and the article "a" is used because "anxiety" is a singular, countable noun.

What's the difference between "a shared anxiety" and "a common fear"?

"A shared anxiety" implies a more general sense of worry or unease, while "a common fear" suggests a more specific and intense apprehension. While similar, "fear" is often related to a concrete threat.