become concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

"become concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a change from not being concerned to being concerned about something, such as a situation. For example: "As the news of the virus spread, people began to become concerned about their safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The market has a long way to run before investors become concerned".

The New York Times

The Food and Drug Administration has also become concerned that such tests are not properly regulated.

The New York Times

In the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, players have become concerned about international travel and security.

The New York Times - Sports

Ward staff have told me that they've become concerned about patients' mental state as a result".

The Guardian

In recent years, he had also become concerned that Kirchner's government had conspired to shield them from justice.

The New Yorker

But it seems a bit late in the day to suddenly become concerned about money laundering and tax evasion.

The New York Times

She later told investigators she had become concerned because she had not heard from her brother or Ms. Billips.

The New York Times

Family members sometimes become concerned, but husbands, children, parents and others are generally supportive, the women said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mandela "had become concerned that artworks were being sold, ostensibly on his behalf, without his authority or permission", Chuene said.

The Guardian

If people do become concerned about the quality of air they breathe, there's likely to be more fudging of data.

The Guardian

"By the fourth grade or so, they start to become concerned about what their classmates are thinking about their ideas".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become concerned" to describe a change in emotional state, where someone transitions from a state of indifference or unawareness to one of worry or attentiveness regarding a specific issue or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "become concerned" to describe a constant or pre-existing state of worry. It's more accurate to use "are concerned" or "have been concerned" for ongoing states, reserving "become concerned" for the moment the worry begins.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become concerned" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of transitioning into a state of worry, anxiety, or attentiveness. It describes a change in emotional or mental state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become concerned" is a versatile phrase used to describe the transition into a state of worry, anxiety, or attentiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and general web content. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, its accurate usage requires distinguishing it from static states of worry. Alternatives such as "start to worry" or "grow anxious" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get worried

A more informal way of expressing the start of worry.

start to worry

Emphasizes the beginning of a state of worry.

start feeling uneasy

Highlights the beginning of a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

grow anxious

Highlights the increasing level of anxiety.

begin to fear

Focuses on the emergence of fear regarding something.

develop misgivings

Implies the formation of doubts or hesitations.

be alerted to

Highlights being made aware of something, prompting concern.

take an interest in

Focuses on the development of interest or attentiveness, which can stem from concern.

get interested in

Informal alternative emphasizing interest development.

turn one's attention to

Suggests focusing attention on something, potentially due to concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "become concerned" to describe the moment someone starts to worry about something, such as "After reading the report, I "became concerned" about the company's future".

What's a more formal way to say "become concerned"?

A more formal way to express "become concerned" could be "start to worry" or "grow anxious", depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to "become concerned"?

While often associated with negative feelings, "become concerned" can also indicate a growing interest or sense of responsibility, such as "take an interest in" something.

What's the difference between "become concerned" and "are concerned"?

"Become concerned" implies a transition into a state of worry or interest, while "are concerned" suggests an existing or ongoing state. For example, "they "became concerned" after the announcement," versus "they are concerned about the implications".