became concerned about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became concerned about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a shift in feelings or attitudes towards a particular issue or situation that raises worry or anxiety. Example: "After hearing the news about the environmental changes, she became concerned about the future of the planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All of a sudden prison officials became concerned about our overeating.

The New York Times

As she worked in the nursery, she became concerned about premature babies who were unable to exhale.

The New York Times - Health

It seems likely that the government also became concerned about sparking a wider conflict with the Arab world.

The New Yorker

But around the time China entered the WTO, Chinese officials suddenly became concerned about modified beans.

Forbes

Instead of being impressed by my example, my faculty became concerned about me.

Science Magazine

Yoshimura and Sally, Kate's eldest sister, became concerned about Kate's mental stability.

Wikipedia

During post-production, the film's insurers became concerned about Jacques's deteriorating health.

Wikipedia

The more Tyson's opponents became concerned about not letting him close, the more they'd pump the jab.

Vice

After the 2001 anthrax bioterrorism incidents, public health officials became concerned about bioterrorist threats of smallpox.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

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

The New York Times

Isaac became concerned about the boy's mental health.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "became concerned about" with a specific reason or explanation for the concern. For example, "He became concerned about the rising crime rate after several incidents in his neighborhood."

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate. For example, instead of "The issue became concerned about by the team", try "The team became concerned about the issue."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became concerned about" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject to a predicate adjective expressing a state of worry or apprehension. The verb "became" indicates a change in the subject's emotional state, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "became concerned about" is a versatile and common phrase used to express the development of worry or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, consider the specific reason behind the concern to provide a clear and impactful message. While "became concerned about" is generally suitable for most situations, exploring synonyms like "grew worried about" or "started to worry about" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Grew worried about

Emphasizes the process of becoming worried rather than just stating the concern.

Started to worry about

Highlights the initiation of worry, similar to 'grew worried'.

Became anxious about

Replaces 'concerned' with 'anxious', indicating a higher degree of worry.

Turned apprehensive about

Substitutes 'concerned' with 'apprehensive', suggesting a sense of unease about future events.

Developed misgivings about

Indicates the development of doubts or hesitations.

Felt unease regarding

Expresses a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

Had reservations concerning

Highlights specific doubts or objections about something.

Showed disquiet over

Indicates a display of worry or disturbance.

Expressed solicitude for

Replaces 'concerned' with 'solicitude', implying care and attentiveness to someone's well-being.

Manifested unease regarding

Highlights the appearance or demonstration of worry and discomfort.

FAQs

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

You can use "became concerned about" to express a developing worry or apprehension regarding a particular issue. For example: "She "became concerned about" the environmental impact of the project."

What is a more formal alternative to "became concerned about"?

A more formal alternative could be "developed reservations concerning". For example: "The board "developed reservations concerning" the proposed merger."

Is it better to say "became concerned about" or "was concerned about"?

"Became concerned about" indicates a change in state, suggesting the concern developed over time. "Was concerned about" simply states a past concern without necessarily implying a change. The better choice depends on the context.

What are some common synonyms for "concerned" in the phrase "became concerned about"?

Some common synonyms include "worried", "anxious", "apprehensive", and "uneasy". Therefore, you could say "became worried about", "became anxious about", and so on.