a worrisome thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrisome thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing concern or anxiety about a particular idea or situation. Example: "As I lay in bed, a worrisome thought crossed my mind about the future of our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Looking at the monitor on my stationary bike, I had never seen my heart rate so elevated and wondered if I might have a heart attack right there — a worrisome thought as there was no in-house doctor at the resort.

The New York Times - Travel

That's a worrisome thought.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The equation suggests that Mr. Creed regards his art -- and by extension, all art -- as nothing, or at least as nothing special, a potentially worrisome thought in certain quarters.

The New York Times - Arts

WHENEVER a heavy storm rips through this coastal city, Mary Witkowski, a local historian, immediately has the same worrisome thought: "Are they still standing?" So far, she has been both amazed and relieved to find that the two rickety structures known as the Freeman houses have indeed survived on their adjacent 161-year-old foundations.

The New York Times

In future studies it would be useful to include a measure of the proportion of worrisome thoughts in both mentation styles (i.e. words during the imagery condition and images during the verbal condition) to further validate the manipulation.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

If worry depletes working memory, there may be less available working memory capacity to inhibit worrisome thoughts and shift to a more benign topic, maintaining the worry process (Hayes & Hirsch, 2007).

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Maintained worrisome thoughts and stress can have a number of physical and mental negative effects 5 7 and have often been linked to general anxiety, 8 anxiety disorders 5 and depression, both in terms of onset 8 9 and recovery time.

BMJ Open

You likely use one to wake up -- but why not give yourself a cue to put aside your work, chores, devices and even worrisome thoughts?

Huffington Post

Although there was an overall decline for the measures of depression, fear and worrisome thoughts, this was only the case for some children, because other children showed an increase, instead.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Before I left, worrisome thoughts nagged.

The New York Times - Arts

He seems lost in his own worrisome thoughts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a worrisome thought" to introduce a problem or challenge that needs addressing. It sets a tone of concern and prompts further exploration of the issue.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "a very worrisome thought" or "an extremely worrisome thought" unless absolutely necessary. The inherent meaning of "worrisome" already implies a significant degree of concern. Overusing intensifiers can weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrisome thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "worrisome" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "thought". Ludwig confirms its usability in expressing concern or anxiety. The adjective adds an emotional attribute to the thought, indicating its troubling nature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a worrisome thought" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing concern or anxiety about a particular idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, though more frequent in news, media and science. While alternatives like "a troubling idea" or "a disturbing notion" exist, "a worrisome thought" offers a specific nuance of unease. Remember to avoid overusing intensifiers to maintain the phrase's impact. Overall, it's a concise and effective way to introduce a subject of concern in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a troubling idea

Focuses more on the problematic nature of the idea itself.

a disturbing notion

Emphasizes the unsettling feeling caused by the thought.

a concerning matter

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the thought.

a disquieting feeling

Shifts the focus from the thought itself to the emotional response it evokes.

an alarming prospect

Highlights the potential negative future outcome suggested by the thought.

a vexing consideration

Emphasizes the frustrating or irritating aspect of the thought.

a nagging worry

Suggests a persistent and bothersome thought.

a heavy concern

Implies a serious and burdensome worry.

an anxious reflection

Focuses on the state of unease prompted by considering something.

an unsettling feeling

Highlights the discomfort and anxiety associated with an idea.

FAQs

What does "a worrisome thought" mean?

The phrase "a worrisome thought" refers to an idea or consideration that causes anxiety, concern, or unease. It suggests that the thought is troubling or potentially problematic.

How can I use "a worrisome thought" in a sentence?

You can use "a worrisome thought" to introduce something that makes you feel concerned, for example: "As I reviewed the sales figures, "a worrisome thought" crossed my mind about the company's future."

What are some alternatives to "a worrisome thought"?

Alternatives to "a worrisome thought" include "a troubling idea", "a disturbing notion", or "a concerning matter". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a worrying thought" instead of "a worrisome thought"?

Yes, "a worrying thought" is also correct. "Worrisome" and "worrying" are both adjectives derived from the verb "worry" and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, although ""a worrisome thought"" may sound slightly more formal.