a worrying amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express concern about the quantity of something that is perceived as excessive or troubling. Example: "The report revealed a worrying amount of pollution in the river, raising alarms among environmentalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

What lay below it, you could see clearly enough, was a worrying amount of anguish.

Independent

People are overt in their dislike of my profession, but I must politely refute a worrying amount of misinformation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It drifts out, but he had a worrying amount of time to turn from the defense's point of view.

The Guardian - Sport

One of them is that its regional commanders have a worrying amount of power in the provinces to which they are posted.

The Economist

We had the usual argument: The Authority, Survivor Series, General Managers, Heavyweight Championship shots, a worrying amount of latex, blah de blah blah.

Independent

There's also a worrying amount of chat from some of our contestants about sending a sensible song to this year's contest.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The one low point of the show was the worrying amount of fur.

The Guardian

Workers struggled to contain a burning reactor at the Fukushima nuclear-power plant as the site emitted small but worrying amounts of radiation.

The Economist

Then came that other grassroots celebrity (also a Taihe client), Li Yuchun, a boyish-looking girl who became champion on "Super Girls", a television show that lets viewers vote for their favourite star, who also unleashed potentially worrying amounts of enthusiasm for voting.

The Economist

Several Republicans have spoken out against the deal, warning that it set a worrying precedent and amounted to negotiating with terrorists.

BBC

"When combined with the many detailed issues they have raised with us over more than a year, this amounts to a worrying and unprecedented level of government interference.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a worrying amount" when you want to express concern or unease about a quantity that seems excessive or problematic. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and why it is concerning.

Common error

Avoid using "a worrying amount" without clearly explaining the consequences or implications of the quantity you're describing. The phrase is most effective when the reader understands why the amount is, in fact, "worrying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrying amount" primarily functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating the quantity of something that is concerning or problematic. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to express concern about quantities of various things from debt to naivety.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a worrying amount" is a phrase used to express concern regarding a quantity or degree. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly articulate what is being measured and why it is a cause for concern. While alternatives like "a concerning quantity" or "an alarming level" exist, "a worrying amount" maintains a neutral to professional tone. It is important to note that this phrase has negative connotations, so be careful when using it in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concerning quantity

Replaces "worrying" with "concerning", maintaining the sense of unease about the amount.

an alarming level

Substitutes "worrying" with "alarming", emphasizing the potentially dangerous nature of the amount.

a disturbing quantity

Uses "disturbing" instead of "worrying" to highlight the unsettling nature of the amount.

a significant concern

Shifts the focus from the quantity itself to the concern it raises, using "significant" to indicate importance.

a considerable cause for concern

Expands on the idea of concern, specifying that it is "considerable", suggesting it's noteworthy.

a substantial reason to worry

Replaces "amount" with "reason to worry", framing the quantity as a justification for concern.

a troubling degree

Uses "troubling" to describe the nature of the "degree", indicating a problem or issue that is anxiety-inducing.

an undesirable extent

Focuses on the negative aspect of the amount by using "undesirable" and "extent" to refer to the range, scale, or degree to which something happens or is present.

a disquieting proportion

Employs "disquieting" to replace "worrying", highlighting that the proportion is causing a feeling of anxiety or worry.

a grave cause for apprehension

Substitutes "worrying" with "grave" and "concern" with "apprehension", increasing the formality of the expression and suggesting a more serious level of worry.

FAQs

How can I use "a worrying amount" in a sentence?

Use "a worrying amount" to describe a quantity of something that causes concern. For example, "The report revealed "a worrying amount" of debt". or "He shows "a worrying amount" of naivety".

What are some alternatives to "a worrying amount"?

You can use phrases like "a concerning quantity", "an alarming level", or "a significant concern" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to use the phrase "a worrying amount"?

Yes, the phrase "a worrying amount" implies a negative connotation, suggesting that the quantity is excessive and causes concern. If you need to express an amount that is large but not necessarily negative, alternatives such as "a significant amount" or "a considerable quantity" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a worrying amount" and "a significant amount"?

"A worrying amount" indicates concern or unease about an excessive quantity, while "a significant amount" simply denotes that the quantity is large or noteworthy without implying negativity. Use "a significant amount" when describing something objectively large and "a worrying amount" when something is causing stress or fear.