became concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone had a feeling of worry or unease about a situation, or when someone began to take action about a situation out of worry or fear. Example: When she heard the news, Jane became concerned and called to check on her friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I became concerned.

The New Yorker

They immediately became concerned.

The New York Times

Increasingly, though, she became concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

The Russian military became concerned too.

The New York Times

Furthermore, she became concerned about the longer-term implications.

Yale University

Mr. Sackheim called Mr. Bergeron's parents, who instantly became concerned.

The New York Times

Saturday, Mary Ann Melancio became concerned about a co-worker.

The New York Times

"But the neighborhood changed, and more people became concerned".

The New York Times

Given the vagaries of industry disruption, he became concerned.

Harvard Business Review

Isaac became concerned about the boy's mental health.

The Guardian

After Waters had a child, she became concerned about the future.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became concerned" to introduce a shift in someone's emotional state, indicating they started to feel worried or anxious about a situation. It often precedes an action taken as a result of that concern.

Common error

Avoid using "became concerned" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "It became concerned that..." try "They became concerned that..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became concerned" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transition into a state of worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard way to express the onset of concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became concerned" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that signifies the commencement of worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. The analysis shows its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, and Science, reflecting its neutral register. When using the phrase, it's essential to consider the context and choose the most appropriate alternative if needed, such as "grew worried" or "started to worry", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoiding passive constructions will further enhance clarity and engagement in writing. Considering its frequency and authoritative sources, "became concerned" is a reliable choice for expressing the onset of worry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew worried

Implies a gradual increase in worry, similar to "became concerned" but with emphasis on the process.

started to worry

Highlights the beginning of a worrying state, focusing on the initiation of concern.

felt anxious

Indicates a feeling of unease and apprehension, focusing on the emotional aspect.

turned apprehensive

Suggests a change in feeling towards apprehension, often implying a specific trigger.

was alarmed

Indicates a sudden feeling of fear or distress, suggesting a more intense reaction.

became uneasy

Describes a feeling of discomfort or restlessness, indicating a mild level of concern.

grew suspicious

Implies a concern based on doubt or mistrust, adding a layer of skepticism.

started to fear

Highlights the development of fear, suggesting a more pronounced emotional response.

took fright

Indicates a sudden shock or alarm, conveying a more immediate and intense reaction.

was perturbed

Implies a state of mild disturbance or agitation, often due to something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "became concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "became concerned" to indicate the onset of worry or unease, such as: "After the news report, she became concerned about her family's safety."

What are some alternatives to "became concerned"?

You can use alternatives like "grew worried", "started to worry", or "felt anxious" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "become concerned" instead of "became concerned"?

While "become concerned" is grammatically correct, "became concerned" implies a past event or a specific point in time when the concern began. "Become concerned" suggests a more general potential for concern.

What is the difference between "became concerned" and "was concerned"?

"Became concerned" indicates the start of a feeling of worry, while "was concerned" simply states that someone felt worry at some point. The former highlights the transition into that state.