a slightly worried

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And though he's warm and forthcoming, with the air of a slightly worried Buddha, he does seem a little cautious.

The Guardian - Books

Right after the election last November, I wrote a slightly worried post about the tendency of modern Presidents to treat the press the same way they did when they were (successful) Presidential candidates.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A slightly worrying record to take into their first meeting as opposing coaches?

The Guardian - Sport

From the presidency of the Oxford Union in 1959 until his life peerage made him Lord Newton of Braintree in 1997, he was a quiet, technocratic, slightly worried and very conscientious full-time professional.

The Guardian

The idea of global environmental catastrophe is so horrifyingly hard to grasp that the danger is we'll just be scared into a state of slightly worried stasis and basically continue doing everything we were doing before i.e., ignoring anything beyond our weekend.

Vice

The whole thing is so horrifyingly hard to grasp, that the danger is we'll just be scared into a state of slightly worried stasis, and basically continue doing everything we were doing before – i.e. ignoring anything beyond our weekend.

Vice

He never shirks a tackle, but I'm slightly worried now at the amount of times I see him hit his head on the wrong side.

BBC

I am slightly worried Marilyn Manson put a curse on her pussy, but a little added danger can be fun in the bedroom.

Vice

Annoyed, he started snorting like a bull in chains, making his crowd grow slightly worried.

Vice

It's an ugly sight to behold, and I'm slightly worried that it's also going to be my fate.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was slightly worried about my start, I slipped a little in the blocks.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotions, use "a slightly worried" to subtly hint at their inner state without being overly dramatic. This can add depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly worried" too frequently, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of emotions to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly worried" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing a person's appearance or demeanor. It indicates a mild state of concern, according to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly worried" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to express a mild state of worry. According to Ludwig AI analysis, while not overly common, the phrase is found in credible sources such as news media. It functions as an adjective phrase, subtly coloring the description of a person or situation with a hint of anxiety. When writing, aim for variety and to avoid repetitive descriptions of emotions, but do not hesitate to use "a slightly worried" when a touch of concern is precisely what you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little concerned

Replaces "slightly worried" with synonyms that convey a similar level of mild unease.

somewhat anxious

Substitutes "slightly worried" with alternatives that imply a moderate degree of apprehension.

a bit apprehensive

Uses "a bit" instead of "slightly" and "apprehensive" to suggest mild anxiety about a future event.

mildly uneasy

Replaces "worried" with "uneasy", indicating a similar state of discomfort or anxiety.

marginally concerned

Emphasizes a minimal level of worry or concern.

faintly troubled

Suggests a subdued or slight degree of worry.

somewhat perturbed

Uses "perturbed" to convey a slight disturbance or worry.

a touch anxious

Indicates a small degree of anxiety or nervousness.

slightly bothered

Replaces "worried" with "bothered", implying a mild level of annoyance or concern.

a shade concerned

Uses "a shade" to emphasize a very slight degree of concern.

FAQs

What does "a slightly worried" mean?

The phrase "a slightly worried" indicates a state of mild concern or anxiety, less intense than being very worried or scared.

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

You can use it to describe someone's expression or demeanor, such as, "She gave me "a slightly worried" look when I mentioned the test."

What are some alternatives to "a slightly worried"?

Alternatives include "a little concerned", "somewhat anxious", or "a bit apprehensive".

Is it better to say "a slightly worried" or "a little worried"?

Both phrases are acceptable and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. "A little worried" is generally more informal.