a source of worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a source of worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are trying to express a concern or anxiety that you have about something. For example, "His health has been a source of worry for his family for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Latin America is also a source of worry for Taiwan.

The New York Times

But others read the same evidence as a source of worry.

The New York Times

So ubiquitous, in fact, that their use is starting to become a source of worry.

The New York Times - Arts

It's the prognosis — or lack of one — that's a source of worry now.

The New York Times - Sports

MR. McCAIN -- Well, I don't think it should be a source of worry, but anything is fair game...

The New York Times

Updated at 9.15pm BST 9.10pm BST And my gosh darn red button is just bringing me the loading screen, which is a source of worry.

The Guardian - Music

"It is true that it is a source of worry for many people concerned about the future of Iraq and the process of democracy in Iraq".

The New York Times

"As she increasingly became the center of family concerns — a source of worry and anxiety and exhaustion — our original togetherness became increasingly painful to mention.

The New York Times - Books

Manning's head had been a source of worry since he sustained a bloody three-inch gash during his team's 31-16 win over the Jets on Aug. 16.

The New York Times - Sports

But in some cases, companies have realised that the information they hold about their customers can be a selling point, rather than a source of worry.

The Economist

But producer lobbies tend to be more vocal than consumers.A widening current-account deficit financed by foreign capital is also a source of worry to many Brazilian policymakers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a source of worry", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is causing the worry. For example, instead of saying "The situation is a source of worry", specify "The company's financial instability is a source of worry for its employees."

Common error

Avoid using "a source of worry" without specifying who is experiencing the worry. For instance, instead of writing "The news was a source of worry", specify "The news was a source of worry for the investors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a source of worry" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object complement. It identifies what is causing concern or anxiety, as seen in Ludwig's examples like, "Latin America is also a source of worry for Taiwan."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a source of worry" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something causing concern or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across diverse sources, predominantly in news and media. Related phrases include "a cause for concern" and "a reason for anxiety", offering nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure clear attribution of what or who is causing the worry, as vague attribution can lead to confusion. The frequency and varied contexts indicate its versatility in expressing unease or apprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cause for concern

Replaces "source of worry" with "cause for concern", focusing on the reason for anxiety.

a reason for anxiety

Substitutes "source of worry" with "reason for anxiety", emphasizing the emotional aspect.

a matter of concern

Replaces "source of worry" with "matter of concern", highlighting the importance of the issue.

a point of concern

Substitutes "source of worry" with "point of concern", indicating a specific area causing worry.

a cause for apprehension

Replaces "worry" with "apprehension", indicating a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad will happen.

a reason to be anxious

Expresses the idea of "a source of worry" by directly stating a reason for feeling anxious.

something to fret about

Uses the verb "fret" to convey the idea of worrying, making it slightly less formal.

grounds for concern

Emphasizes the justification or basis for feeling worried or concerned.

a stressful situation

Shifts the focus from the source of worry to the overall stressful nature of the situation.

a challenging issue

Replaces the negative connotation of worry with a more neutral term, highlighting the difficulty of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "a source of worry" in a sentence?

You can use "a source of worry" to describe something that causes concern or anxiety. For example, "The increasing cost of living is "a source of worry" for many families."

What are some alternatives to "a source of worry"?

Alternatives include "a cause for concern", "a reason for anxiety", or "a matter of concern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a source of worry" or "a source of concern"?

Both "a source of worry" and "a source of concern" are correct and often interchangeable. "Worry" implies a slightly stronger emotional response than "concern", but the choice depends on the context and the specific feeling you want to express.

What makes something "a source of worry"?

Something becomes "a source of worry" when it causes anxiety, unease, or concern about potential negative outcomes or problems. It can be related to health, finances, relationships, or any other aspect of life.