a worrying development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes concern or anxiety. Example: "The recent rise in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure is a worrying development for national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is a worrying development.

The Guardian

For Pahwa, this was a worrying development.

The Guardian - Tech

Some see that as positive, others as a worrying development.

The Guardian

Saeed also points to a worrying development in the wet season: a rise in dengue fever.

The Guardian

Mick McAteer of the Financial Inclusion Centre said this was a worrying development.

The Guardian - Money

He believes primary schools with more than 1,000 pupils are a worrying development.

The Guardian

People working in the prisons sector described the scheme as "disgusting" and a "worrying development".

The Guardian

A worrying development for Somali's neighbours is al-Shabaab's growing influence in the region.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Grimes said the grants were "an extremely worrying development at a critical time".

The Guardian

A lot of the violence within prison is the result of criminal activity and staff need to have sufficient numbers and training to control that behaviour.' A recent worrying development has been the rise of 'white supremacist' gangs, a feature of the US prison system.

The Guardian

'This is clearly a very worrying development,' said Bharti Patel, director of the Low Pay Unit, a pressure group for the low-paid and unemployed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a worrying development", clearly specify what the development is and why it is concerning. Providing context will enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a worrying development" as a vague, general statement. Always provide specific details about the development and its potential consequences to make your writing more persuasive and informative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "a worrying development" is to act as a noun phrase. It serves as a subject complement or object, identifying or describing a situation or event that causes concern. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a worrying development" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a situation or event that causes concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's found predominantly in news and media, but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. To maximize impact, always specify the "worrying development" and its potential consequences. Alternatives include "a troubling trend" or "a concerning situation". Avoid vagueness and provide context to effectively communicate your concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a troubling trend

Replaces "development" with "trend" and "worrying" with "troubling", focusing on the progression of the concerning situation.

a concerning situation

Substitutes "worrying" with "concerning" and "development" with "situation", emphasizing the problematic nature of the current circumstances.

an alarming event

Replaces "worrying" with "alarming" and "development" with "event", highlighting the potential for immediate danger or distress.

a disturbing occurrence

Changes "worrying" to "disturbing" and "development" to "occurrence", focusing on the unsettling nature of the event.

a regrettable turn of events

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on the negative outcome and the sequence of events leading to it.

a negative progression

Emphasizes the downward trajectory of a situation, highlighting the negative impact.

a deteriorating condition

Focuses on the worsening state of something, often implying a gradual decline.

a cause for concern

Shifts the focus to the reason for anxiety, rather than the event itself.

a matter of apprehension

Highlights the feeling of anxiety or fear associated with the situation.

an ominous sign

Presents the situation as a signal of potential future danger or misfortune.

FAQs

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

Use "a worrying development" to introduce a situation or event that causes concern or anxiety. For example: "The increasing rate of deforestation is "a worrying development" for global biodiversity".

What are some alternatives to "a worrying development"?

You can use alternatives like "a troubling trend", "a concerning situation", or "an alarming event" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a worrying development" in formal writing?

Yes, "a worrying development" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news reports, academic papers, and business communications, as it conveys concern in a professional tone.

What makes something qualify as "a worrying development"?

A situation qualifies as "a worrying development" if it represents a change or progression that poses potential risks or negative consequences. It suggests something is not only happening, but also causing legitimate concern.