a widespread worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concern or anxiety that is common among a large group of people. Example: "Climate change has become a widespread worry among scientists and the general public alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Researchers and students come not only from departments of English and comparative literature, but also from history, history of science, and design.Some of the interest in handmade books, says Mr Koch, may derive from a widespread worry about the disappearance of the printed word and its burial by changing technology.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their posturing is built on a deep and widespread worry about the unfairness in the restitution for forgone land.

The Economist

Claimants entering typically low-paid jobs would keep more of their benefits than before.The coalition government's focus on fairness is a response to widespread worry about the gap between rich and poor in Britain.

The Economist

Dr. Helms said he hoped that widespread worry about a pandemic flu would increase immunization rates against seasonal flu.

The New York Times

Still, there is widespread worry that a delay could hurt the credibility of Japan, which has an economy, at almost $5 trillion, secondonly to that of the United States.

The New York Times

There is widespread worry about putting a facility this size into a community that has grown rapidly in the last ten years without a comparable increase in city services (in fact, our local hospital was just closed and sold to developers).

Huffington Post

The banks had quietly received that very message a week earlier, which set off, if not a rush for the exits, certainly widespread worry in China and financial centers around the world.

The New York Times

But pride is mixed with widespread worry that the area is becoming a ghetto.Ayyaz Aslam, who works for a local personal-injury firm, regrets the absence of whites.

The Economist

There was widespread worry that the convention would not be a worthy successor to the last Democratic convention in Los Angeles: the 1960 party gathering that nominated John F. Kennedy for president amid great excitement.

The New York Times

Due to the vulnerability of the city to landslides, these events caused a significant social, economic, and environmental impact as well as widespread worry, without any precedent among inhabitants and local institutions, about future risk.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Widespread worry about the NHS's workforce "concerns me more than the money", said a third boss.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional weight you want to convey. "Worry" is milder than "fear" or "anxiety". Choose the word that best reflects the intensity of the concern.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread worry" without providing supporting evidence or context. Vague claims can weaken your argument. Instead, specify who holds this worry and why.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread worry" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence. It refers to a concern or anxiety shared by many people. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a common concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “a widespread worry” is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate a concern shared by many, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, highlighting a common anxiety across various contexts, with particular prevalence in News & Media sources. While adaptable to different registers, it's important to ensure specificity and context when using it to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like ""a common concern"" or ""a prevalent anxiety"" can be considered based on the desired level of formality and the emotional intensity you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common concern

Replaces "widespread worry" with a more neutral term, focusing on the shared aspect of the concern.

a prevalent anxiety

Substitutes "worry" with "anxiety" to emphasize the feeling of unease or apprehension that is widespread.

a general apprehension

Similar to prevalent anxiety, but uses "apprehension" which can suggest a more specific or defined fear.

a shared concern

Highlights the aspect of the worry being felt by many people.

a collective anxiety

Emphasizes the group experiencing anxiety, implying a shared emotional state.

a public unease

Focuses on the discomfort or disquiet felt by the public at large.

a widespread fear

Uses "fear" instead of "worry", suggesting a stronger emotional response.

a common fear

A shorter alternative that still conveys the idea of fear being felt by many.

a pervasive unease

Swaps "widespread" for "pervasive", emphasizing the feeling is spread everywhere.

a dominant concern

Replaces "widespread" with "dominant", emphasizing the concern takes precedence over other considerations.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "a widespread worry"?

Alternatives include "a common concern", "a prevalent anxiety", or "a general apprehension". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality.

Is "a widespread worry" formal or informal?

The phrase "a widespread worry" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "a prevalent concern" for a slightly more elevated tone.

How can I make my use of "a widespread worry" more impactful?

To strengthen your writing, provide specific examples or data to support the claim that the worry is indeed widespread. Mentioning specific groups or sources can add credibility.

What's the difference between "a widespread worry" and "a widespread fear"?

While both phrases indicate a shared concern, "a widespread fear" suggests a more intense emotional response. "Worry" implies a lighter level of anxiety compared to the stronger emotion of "fear".