a worrying number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express concern about the quantity or frequency of something that is perceived as negative or alarming. Example: "The report revealed a worrying number of incidents related to data breaches in the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

A worrying number of undergraduates are turning to payday loans.

The Guardian

Far worse, a worrying number of Ukip candidates ARE extremist oddballs.

The Guardian

During this work, it found that a "worrying" number of families were reporting being turned away by academies.

Independent

A worrying number of those players have made themselves unavailable, most recently Roy Asotasi, the former Kiwi prop, who will join Warrington next season, and whose late withdrawal left Samoa's Australian coach Matt Parish unimpressed.

The Guardian - Sport

She cannot expect voters to elect her simply because it is "her time", or because she would be the first woman president (though such arguments were made by a worrying number of those at the steak fry).

The Economist

A worrying number of Afghans no longer give the West the benefit of the doubt.There is disillusion too among Western military advisers and soldiers, who increasingly fear being assassinated by the very people they have travelled across the world to help.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Thankfully, I haven't been violated--yet--but I have been jumped each summer for the past two years in a row and I'm worried number three must be on its way.

Vice

The Met seized a "worrying" record number of weapons in 2015, including semiautomatic guns, Hogan-Howe said.

The Guardian

Despite a worrying large number of the VICE editorial staff failing to pick up our degrees, we can at least remember going to university in an era when "Skrillex" was a thing you had to have an opinion on.

Vice

The most recent government data reveals a worrying trend in numbers of new affordable homes being built.

The Guardian - Opinion

Val Shawcross, chair of the assembly's transport committee, said the January passenger numbers represented a "worrying" trend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a worrying number", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being counted and why it is concerning. This provides clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a worrying number" without specifying what the number refers to. For example, instead of saying "A worrying number are failing", specify "A worrying number of students are failing the exam" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrying number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun and indicating a quantity that is concerning. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a worrying number" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey concern about a quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially news and media, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the number refers to and why it is concerning. Alternatives like "a concerning quantity" or "an alarming figure" can provide similar nuances. Avoid vagueness in context to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A concerning quantity

Replaces "worrying" with "concerning" maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

A troubling amount

Substitutes "worrying" with "troubling" to denote concern about a substantial quantity.

An alarming figure

Uses "alarming" to intensify the sense of worry associated with the number.

A cause for concern

Rephrases to directly state that the number is a reason to be worried.

A significant number of concerns

Changes the structure to emphasize the concerns rather than the number itself.

An unacceptable level

Emphasizes that the number is beyond what is considered tolerable or acceptable.

A disturbing trend

Shifts the focus to the pattern or trend indicated by the number, rather than the number itself.

A substantial number of issues

Uses "substantial" to indicate a large and significant quantity of issues.

A disquieting pattern

Emphasizes the unease caused by the observed pattern, indicated by the number.

A regrettable statistic

Highlights the unfortunate nature of the number as a statistic.

FAQs

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

You can use "a worrying number" to express concern about a quantity or statistic, for example: "A worrying number of patients are experiencing side effects from the new medication".

What are some alternatives to saying "a worrying number"?

Alternatives include "a concerning quantity", "a troubling amount", or "an alarming figure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a worrying number" is suitable for formal writing, especially in reports, articles, and other contexts where you need to express concern about data or statistics. However, ensure your language remains objective and avoid overly emotional phrasing.

What makes "a worrying number" different from "a large number"?

"A large number" simply indicates quantity, while "a worrying number" implies that the quantity is concerning or problematic in some way. The latter carries a negative connotation and suggests the number is a cause for alarm.