are a worrying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are a worrying" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when discussing something that causes concern or anxiety, but it needs to be part of a complete sentence. Example: "The recent changes in policy are a worrying trend for many employees."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The so-called "ghost ships" are a worrying new trend as human traffickers exploit desperate refugees bidding for a new life in Europe.

Independent

The so-called "ghost ships" are a worrying new trend as human traffickers exploit desperate refugees bidding for a new life in Europe, endangering their lives in the expectation that European coastguard agencies will take them to shore.

Independent

But they are a worrying sign.Though the basin in which Lake Geneva sits is ancient, the modern lake is a product of the end of the last Ice Age.

The Economist

"We see Nazi greetings, which are a worrying fact for us," Stefka Ilieva, an inspector at the State Agency for Child Protection, told reporters.

Vice

This slight increase in MICs with MRSA clones are a worrying finding.

BioMed Research International

As vancomycin is considered to be the cornerstone of therapy for serious MRSA infections, the increasing MICs are a worrying finding.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This is a worrying trend.

The Economist

That is a worrying trend.

The Economist

Perhaps that difference is a worrying one.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a worrying political correctness.

The Guardian

This is a worrying situation for the authorities here.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure correct subject-verb agreement. Since "are" is plural, make sure the subject is also plural. For example, "These statistics are a worrying trend."

Common error

Avoid using "are a worrying" when the subject is singular. For example, instead of saying "This is are a worrying situation", use "This is a worrying situation" or "These are a worrying set of events".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while grammatically incorrect, attempts to function as a descriptor, modifying a noun by indicating a cause for concern. Ludwig AI notes its non-standard usage. The correct form would involve restructuring the sentence to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are a worrying" is grammatically incorrect, as Ludwig AI points out. Although it appears with some frequency, it's better to use grammatically sound alternatives like "are concerning", "are a cause for concern", or "raise concerns". While "are a worrying" is common in news and media, other formulations are better suited for formal and academic writing. Always ensure subject-verb agreement and choose vocabulary that accurately reflects the level of concern you want to convey. Remember to structure sentences in a way that correctly expresses your intentions while adhering to standard grammar rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are a cause for concern

This alternative uses "cause for concern" instead of "worrying", focusing on the reason for apprehension.

are a matter of concern

Swaps "worrying" for "matter of concern", highlighting the issue's importance.

are a troubling sign

Replaces "worrying" with "troubling sign", emphasizing the indicative nature of the issue.

are alarming

This alternative uses the adjective "alarming" to directly describe the concerning nature.

are cause for alarm

Similar to "cause for concern" but more urgent in tone.

are grounds for concern

Emphasizes the justification for worry.

raise concerns

Shifts the focus to the action of causing worry.

are worrisome

Uses a direct synonym for "worrying" but maintains a similar structure.

are a source of anxiety

This alternative specifies the emotion caused by the issue.

give cause for apprehension

Highlights the anticipation of negative outcomes.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "are a worrying"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "are a worrying" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It is important to ensure subject-verb agreement and use the correct article. Consider using alternatives such as "are a cause for concern" instead.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "are a worrying"?

Alternatives to "are a worrying" include "are concerning", "are troubling", or "raise concerns". The best choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.

How can I use "are a worrying" correctly in a sentence?

While "are a worrying" itself is grammatically questionable, you can rephrase your sentence for grammatical accuracy. For instance, instead of "These trends are a worrying sign", use "These trends "are a cause for concern"" or "These trends are worrying".

What's the difference between "is a worrying" and "are a worrying"?

"Is a worrying" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "This trend is a worrying sign"), while "are a worrying" (though grammatically questionable) would incorrectly attempt to be used with plural subjects. It is better to say something like "These trends "are concerning"".