became concerned that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became concerned that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a shift in emotional state or awareness regarding a particular issue or situation. Example: "After hearing the news, she became concerned that the project would be delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quaker officials became concerned that Jiutai would not be able to pass an inspection, the former employee said.

The New York Times

Even Bishop admits that as filming went on, he became "concerned that we might be humanising someone who's quite hated".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

After the Second World War, the U.S. military leadership became concerned that many soldiers were not shooting to kill, and it adopted new training methods.

The New Yorker

Don't poke that beast.' " Syngenta intensified its public-relations campaign in 2009, as it became concerned that activists, touting "new science," had developed a "new line of attack".

The New Yorker

Housing officials became concerned that renovations did not begin as quickly as expected; others questioned the group's ability to finance the expensive task of a new structure.

The New York Times

In the aftermath of the battle of Edgehill in October, Parliament became concerned that Charles might advance on London.

Wikipedia

The anti-Chandler faction became concerned that, if they did not name a candidate, Chandler's early announcement would give him an advantage in the 1963 election.

Wikipedia

As the depot-laying party approached 80°, Scott became concerned that the remaining ponies would not make it back to base unless the party turned north immediately.

Wikipedia

The violence and destruction was so rampant that even Nazi officials became concerned that losses and injury would extend beyond the initial Jewish targets.

Huffington Post

We became concerned that drugs that were stored in non-refrigerated areas were being subjected to temperatures significantly higher than room temperature.

BMC Veterinary Research

ALAN M. JACOBSEN says he became concerned that his financial adviser was more interested in earning high commissions than in protecting his investments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became concerned that" to clearly indicate a shift in someone's emotional state or awareness, especially when a specific event or realization triggered the concern.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "became concerned that". Instead of "It became concerning that the project was delayed", opt for "She became concerned that the project would be delayed" for a more direct and engaging statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became concerned that" functions as a linking phrase introducing a subordinate clause that expresses the reason for the concern. It indicates a change in state or awareness leading to worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "became concerned that" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that expresses a shift in feeling towards worry or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence in various sources, especially news media, indicates its broad applicability. For nuanced expression, alternatives like "grew worried that" or "started to fear that" can be considered. When employing this phrase, ensure active voice and avoid overuse of passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew worried that

Replaces "became concerned" with "grew worried", changing the verb but keeping the core meaning.

started to worry that

Similar to 'grew worried', but uses 'started' to emphasize the beginning of the concern.

became anxious that

Substitutes "concerned" with "anxious", conveying a heightened state of worry.

felt apprehensive that

Replaces "concerned" with "apprehensive", which is a more formal synonym.

began to fear that

Emphasizes a stronger emotion than concern, implying fear.

feared that

A more direct and concise way of expressing worry or concern.

developed anxieties that

More formal and emphasizes the development of anxiety.

had misgivings that

Indicates a feeling of doubt or apprehension about something that might happen.

suspected that

Implies a concern based on suspicion or incomplete information.

doubted whether

Expresses uncertainty and concern about a particular outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "became concerned that" to express a shift in feeling or awareness about a potential problem or issue. For example, "The doctor "became concerned that" the patient's symptoms were worsening."

What are some alternatives to "became concerned that"?

Alternatives include "grew worried that", "started to worry that", or "became anxious that". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "was concerned that" or "became concerned that"?

"Was concerned that" indicates a state of worry, while ""became concerned that"" indicates the beginning of that worry. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration or the onset of the concern.

What is the difference between "concerned that" and "worried that"?

While similar, "concerned" can sometimes imply a more general sense of unease, while "worried that" often suggests a more specific and intense anxiety. The phrases are often interchangeable, but consider the nuance you wish to convey.